US, Canada and Australian models need checking every 15,000 miles but the European and Malaysian models are at 26,000 miles. Just wonder why?

There is some sort of performance difference with those above models(Euro's and Malaysian).If you look in your service manual,at the beginning,it gives some interesting values for torque and hp on the Two Models mentioned.I did not have mine checked until 24,000+ miles.My clearances were virtually exact with the factory settings.Pretty amazing.

Yes, it's a guessing game as to if the valves need adjusting.
Too bad there isn't some other way of knowing 'cuz it looks to me to be a lot of work getting in there.
You may go through a lot of work "for nothing" in a way. Then some clearances may be right at the minimum/maximum point where you can't do anything and you wouldn't feel comfortable trying to get to the next 15,000 mark.

The Malaysian models are slightly down on power, but that shouldn't make a difference. In SA the book says every 40 000km which is 25K miles. Strange one this.

Maybe it's related to the fuel? I don't know anything about foreign fuel make up (including Canada and Australia) but in the states there's a lot of additives and things that are supposed to help minimize the effects of the loss of lead in the fuel.
So maybe some fuels are "harder" on an engine and it effects valve clearances?

Ya KAK-that's why I waited so long to have mine checked.I was gonna do it myself-but ran into space problems(in the engine compartment)after I had everything apart(except the valve cover).I didn't want to break anything.So I let a REAL MECHANIC check em for me.At least he didn't have to remove anything except the valve cover!!!!So that worked out good for him and me.As I said-at 24,000+ miles,they were virtually factory perfect.And that was "sport riding" miles-not just "cruising".

* Last updated by: blue07 on 2/16/2010 @ 12:24 AM *

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm getting the wheels re-finished and the header coated and the bike is all over the place. Trying to be organized and still move around in the garage is tough. First time removing all the stuff is the hardest though. Now I get to remember how it all goes back.
I was thinking how easy it is to get to the header bolts on my 30 year old GS1000, then how much work it is to get to the header bolts on the 14. Also, I found 1 very loose header nut and 1 more not very tight. I've read that this is fairly common. Nothing ever gets loose on my GS. From what I read the nuts shouldn't have threadlock applied, just torqued evenly. So after everything is back together I STILL have to keep an eye on it. No way I want to remove stuff again so I hope with the right tool/attachments I can access the nuts to check them after a hundred miles or so. Long live naked bikes.LOL.
As for the valve check when the time comes I may also take it to a mechanic, though I don't like the idea of anyone touching the bike. Like what you did may be a compromise. I'd take off all the bodywork so I don't have to worry about scratches and let them do the rest. I may still learn to do it myself if I have the time. I also want to learn to synch the throttle bodies. Easy to synch the GS carbs but don't know about the 14. I peeked at all the cables and hoses and stuff with the bodywork off and I admit I'm a bit intimidated. I'd sure look like hell riding my bike into the mechanic with all the bodywork removed. But easier than finding someone with a pick up and tie downs.

I'm pretty sure the cages were wonderin"what the hell kinda bike is that" as well.But she ran fine without the plastic on er.Throttle sync-ya,same deal-I'm not messin with that either.My mechanic is top notch-knows EXACTLY what to do to get er done with no drama.I'm fortunate he's here where I live.A-1 guy.And his prices for work are VERY GOOD.

Where do you live? I'm in the So.Cal area. Always interested in a mechanic that sounds like yours.

Ya-I'm a LONG way from SoCal-Montana.

OK. Thanks.

Do it yourself KAK, that's my advice. The more difficult and time consuming a job is the more likely a "real mechanic" is going to take a shortcut or cut corners somewhere. I know this from 27 years in aircraft maintenance, it's a sad truth but no one cares as much about your vehicle as you do....period! There are some really good professionals out there who know what they're doing and are honest but sometimes I think they're as rare as hens teeth. Take your time, ask a lot of questions and enlist the help of a friend or acquaintance in your area that has done it before, you buy the 12 pack. Enlightened self-interest usually assures that you get the job done correctly but the trade off is your time, sometimes a lot of it. Hub is about the only person I'd trust my bike too.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/24/2010 @ 9:58 AM *