Help Pitster pro lxr 155 Knocking

I have a 2012 lxr 155 ho Pitster pro. It has the zongshen 155 engine in it. Bought it new. Riding it on and off. Didn’t ride it for a few years. Got it going again recently, running great besides the knocking in the engine. I’ve checked the timing, and it’s good. Checked the timing chain, looks perfect. Checked the tensioner, looks good. I adjusted the valves to (intake = 0.004) and (exhaust = 0.006) with feeler. Knocking doesn’t sound like it’s bottom end, but it’s hard to tell. Also the knocking seems more prominent on the shifter side of the engine. I pasted a link to an audio recording of the knocking in idle. If anyone can help, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Audio of Knocking Noise

Plan on just taking the whole top end apart. Just looking for feedback on maybe what to look for.

Only thing I found was wear on the cylinder. On the exhaust side. Piston looked good. Thinking maybe the wear is from the rings??

@Okiewan thanks for the reply. I agree still trying to figure out what caused the pitting / gouge in the cylinder and where knocking is coming from if it’s not the top end. The gouge in the cylinder isn’t as deep as it looks in the pic. Piston looks fine. I turned on link share. Should be able to hear it now. I checked the rod, it had no up and down play, and just a tad side to side. Thanks again for your post.

Just a little more info. The knocking, from what I can tell, is more audible on the left side of the bike, and kinda seems to be around the top rod area. But No way of knowing without taking the bottom apart as well. Only signs of damage I can see is the cylinder. Piston/ rings look good. Just some normal carbon build up.