Agree with the good crank comments, probably still should do a look see, previous owner may have ignored the cam tensioners.

Might also check the primary for loose chain. As the older models had manual adjusters.

My 04 with gear drive cams will make a similar noise when warm or when i run it hard for a long time. 1000 mile day, etc.

Typically needs a primary chain adjustment then its good till it needs it again

 

Agree about a tensioner check. They were nearly ready to grenade at 24,000 miles in my 2001 Roadking. As previously mentioned, the build quality of these earlier TC engines made changing over to gear driven cams a worry free alternative.

 

When I did my research I recall Wood had a replacement cam chain tensioner that is hydraulic and replacement chain kit that replaced both the inner and outer chains with roller chains. HTH.

 

What does a shop normal charge to repair this?

 

Before you repair anything, you get the tensioners looked at first. $100

Then you can decide which way to go if its time to do something about them. Simple as new tehsioner shoes at $59 a piece, to a new upgrade hydraulic kit, to gear drive cams...etc.