I just got my new GS in August. An 2006 F model. Thanks to everyone for this forum it has been great to follow and gain knowledge from. I have had several bikes through the years and this one is certainly not the biggest but it might be as fun a any I have had. So far so good.

I might ask however just when this model was moved to Spain for production. Has anyone noticed any problems with the Spanish ones over the Jap ones? I was a little surpriseded when I saw the Made in Spain sticker on the frame.
Thoughts?

I was under the impression that they all were assembled in Spain?  You have to remember that most of the components are made elsewhere.  Wherever they assemble the bike is where the "Made In" tag gets labeled.

I know we've talked before, but I forget where you are located.  Wichita?

-Turd.

I wouldn't worry.Spain has made some Pretty good Bikes Thru the Years and still do.
http://www.usmontesa.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bultaco
http://ossa.2y.net/ossa/bilder/modelos/index.html

The only issues that have come up on that year bike are the head gasket and cam play.  Keep an eye out for the head gasket leaking, and an ear out for funny noises coming from the top end of the motor.  The cam play issue isn't serious, just annoying.

Thanks folks

Turd we havnt actually communicated before however I am located by Topeka. In fact if your bike had been for sale in August I would have been extremely interested in it. Bad timing I guess. Did you sell it and how is the Duck doing?

Har Har!
I live in spain, and I understand why he is concerned about quality.

Even spanish people do keep away of "Made in Spain" appliances, machines, tools and so.

But times changed a lot, and spanish manufacturing quality has increased.
We have lots of manufacturing plants, Volkswagen, Suzuki, Ford, Opel, Yamaha, ...

Some components are made in spain, and I can tell for sure that spanish steel is very good and high graded.
Cannot say the same for the japanese iron-alloys, rusty and prone to break.
Example: Spain produces 10.8 and 12.8 grade steel bolts. But japaneses use 6.6 and 8.8 grade steel bolts.
Some japanese bikes use that "turtle brand" spanish bolts to secure the triple clamp to forks, and other special-requirement assemblies.

Keep peace in mind: japanese design with Spanish steel. Good deal.

Quote from: marc on October 23, 2006, 12:21:16 PM
Har Har!
I live in spain, and I understand why he is concerned about quality.

Even spanish people do keep away of "Made in Spain" appliances, machines, tools and so.

But times changed a lot, and spanish manufacturing quality has increased.
We have lots of manufacturing plants, Volkswagen, Suzuki, Ford, Opel, Yamaha, ...

Some components are made in spain, and I can tell for sure that spanish steel is very good and high graded.
Cannot say the same for the japanese iron-alloys, rusty and prone to break.
Example: Spain produces 10.8 and 12.8 grade steel bolts. But japaneses use 6.6 and 8.8 grade steel bolts.
Some japanese bikes use that "turtle brand" spanish bolts to secure the triple clamp to forks, and other special-requirement assemblies.

Keep peace in mind: japanese design with Spanish steel. Good deal.

Wow, straight from the source, eh folks?  A Spaniard dissing on Spanish made items!

A lot of the large structural steel at my work (I-beams, C-channel) comes from Spain. [/rambling]

"Kansas GS", did you buy from the dealer there in Topeka?  Thats where my GS came from.  Nah, I still have the GS and the Duc is doing great (although in winter storage).

As others have stated, we have seen a few headgasket issues pop up here on this site for th 06 models.  Its not something I would worry about, but it deffinately sucks if it does happen to you.  Just keep an eye out for oil on the outside of your case near the head gasket.

-Turd.

My '03 is "Made in japan" but plenty of Spanish bikes here, most of the Honda bikes sold in Europe seem to have "Made in Italy" on them and no-one worries about that.

Funny old world what with the "Indian" being made in Scotland and Nortons in the US

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=22708.0