Thanks wilf, on the whole over the past 3 years it has been pretty good. i bought it with 9k on it and hes let me down a couple of times with electrical issues, and i am quite happy with it on the whole. reason for the valves, is because with 24k on it i want the heads lifted this time, and may aswell change them and seals and guides to be sure no top end issues show in the next 3 years at least.
the bike is on good condition and hope it will keep on plodding for a while yet, so the small cost of a set of valves is not really a problem when the tear down will cost not much less if just new seats and guides and gaskets etc etc.
on the upside, i have changed oil every 2 - 3k and belts every 6k or 12 months, rockers are all good and clearances were all fine last service, but with the heads off, its easier to check all is well up top.
Few of us doing spain / france again in may and i expect another 3k to be put on it over a week or so, and after its last rectifier issue in france i dont fancy seeing the return trip through the UK on the back of a truck.
Part of me says do the trip on a jap bike or the mille, but i want to see if she can make it on her own this time without fuss.
Its a great bike and i accept it aint the quickest out there nor the newest but it's always going to be an early italian bike and things may show thier hand when not expected, so just trying to ensure its as good as can be really