I checked my valves on the 97 at about 6-700 miles for the 1st time.  After that I checked them about every 8k miles or about twice a year.  None of the valves required any shim replacement till about 40k miles, all being to spec till then.

I last checked the valves at about 77k miles.  Neither of the intake valves has ever been adjusted and both are still to spec.  Both of the exhaust valves have been shimmed requiring a thinner shim each time.  The clearance closes down on them and they become tight.  The one exhaust valve requiring the most frequent adjustment now has the thinnest available shim in it.  Since this is now my low milage backup bike, I won't have to decide what to do with it till next year.  

I've never touched the carbs on the 97 except for idle speed adjustment.  My bikes never sit long enough for the carbs to get gummed up.

I bought the 02 with about 4k plus miles on it and based on my experience with the 97, I will be checking the valve clearance soon at about 10k miles.

I changed from a 10W-40 dino juice to the 15W-50 Mobil 1 synthetic auto oil at about 5k miles.  Never added between 3k oil changes till past 50k miles.  Oil consumption on the 97 has reached about 3 pints added now between changes.  Having heard good things about the truck/diesel oils, I swiched to the 15W-40 Mobil Delvac 1300 oil on the 97 at about 70k miles and change it at 2k intervals as I have always done with dino juice.  

Am using the non-synthetic 15W-40 Delvac or Rotella oils in both bikes now.  Discovered the 97 ran much cooler with 15W-40 than it did with the 15W-50 Mobil 1 allowing me to drop down one grade in gasoline without it pinging when hot.  Will be sticking with these oils till something better comes along.  Only $5-6 per gallon at any Walmart or auto parts store.

Do i beat everyone, on my 92 GS, had 37,000miles at MOT b4 last, my sister put 5000 miles on it, and i have put about 3000, new small chrome clocks loook the business, and cleverly grafted mounting mod, so i would guess 45,000 miles and still running purrrrfect!!!  

a little follow up after the springs and tires changes... the difference is like day and night.  gripping around the corner is much better now, and no more bottom out!  should've done this a long time ago!

just hit 67k on my 91

Kerry thats awesome...!!  is that because of the oil you use..?? and why 15W50..??  Ok one more...what oil do ya use in the winter..??

On the other topic i just got a pair of those Sport Demons myself along with Progressive springs and a full V+H exhaust.  So far i like them demons alot.  Even brand new they seem to offer tons more traction than the stock.  And as far as the springs lemme tell ya....in NYC i was bottoming out several times daily commuting to work...but no more.  The bike feels more rigid which i prefer.  Gives me more control or at least it seems to.

Oh and i have an '02 with 6k on it....It's just a baby still...