[dhgeyer]

Thanks everyone for the prompt and relevant replies!

GZ250: I have no way of knowing the history of the bike. A lot of people buy smaller bikes to learn on - either before or after taking an MSF course, and then decide it's not for them. Some of them keep the bikes for a long time for various reasons - laziness, too busy to deal with selling it, or, in several cases I have known, an unwillingness to let the dream go just yet. I do plan to do an oil and filter change ASAP. I already checked the air filter, and it's fine. I do also plan to check the spark plug for the color of the insulator, just to see if it's running too rich or lean. I will also check the valve clearances ASAP. I need get or fabricate (more likely) an offset 8mm wrench of some sort it sounds like. Whatever the adjuster tool is, I'm sure I can fabricate it once I see what is needed. By the sound of the description, and the pictures in the service manual (downloaded from this site), it looks like getting a torque wrench on the adjuster nuts is out of the question.

alanmcorcoran: I checked the DOT codes on the tires. For anyone who didn't know this, the DOT code stamped in every tire sold in this country will tell you when the tire was manufactured right to the week. These are 8 years old, with no sign of wear or cracking. I don't like to run tires that are more than 5 years old, as the compound changes over time, and the result is less traction. So I'll be in the market for some new tires soon. Any recommendations?

alantf: I will most assuredly run some either Chevron Techron or Sea Foam through the tank at an early date. For now it seems to be (surprisingly) running like a champ, so I don't consider this urgent. I'll probably figure a way to install an inline fuel filter, as it doesn't seem to have one - at least I haven't found it yet.

What I have done so far - in the first 12 hours of owning it:

checked and waxed chain.
Pulled all 4 bolts holding exhaust pipes up front, in order to make sure they had not seized. Reinstalled with anti-seize compound.
Lubed and adjusted clutch cable and lever.
Checked all fluid levels.
Checked and adjusted tire pressure.
Checked battery, and left on battery tender for a while. Dealer put in new maint free battery, as old one was dead.
Loosened oil drain plug, just to make sure I could, based on a post in this forum. Retightened.
Checked tool kit for spark plug wrench, and general completeness and condition.
Filled the tank, so I can take a nice long ride today and check the gas mileage.
Generally went over the bike to find where things are.