I took my bike in a parade, a very slow ride and as such a lot of slipping the clutch generating a lot of heat. Took it for a relaxing highway cruise at lower RPMs, sat for half hour, went to start and sounds like #2 cylinder rod may be let loose. Can one view the crankshaft and rod ends by just removing the oil pan?

Yes.

Hookup a dial indicator on the big end of the rod. Moves .002" or less it's within spec. Over that number, rebuild.

Clean pan would show no insert debris, but if brass chips or aluminum flake, never start it again. You have a better chance of saving the crank. Gray powder is clutch dust.