Any more progress on this Russ? Did Yamaha take any interest and have you decided whether to break it or not?

Gess that does sound pretty bad.

Use to have any xtr with about 45k miles on it, and it was starting to sound a bit rough, and had a few more vibs through the bars than standard. My local mechanic did say he had checked the vavles, clutch etc and said from the feels of it and sound it was a main bearing. Sold the bike to another guy in Norn Iron so not sure how hes getting on with it.