So, got my bike, got a lot of the neat-o parts,
but, planning a 500 mile road trip on this 97, 13k bike.
Going to tear down the top end and get into everything except the transmission.
What should I especially look to do, inspect, rebuild, etc...
I'll go through the frame bearings, brakes, and am waiting on a cam chain tensioner to be available. Got a head plug, spark plug and oil filter, have the rapter.

Might want to have exhaust port modified  while its apart too

I've put a couple k into my two trucks, 7k into trailers and xxk into a "new" home in VA.  I'm out of k's and about out of $$$ since I gave my 2 weeks at work.  I need it to make the trip from VA then put in the back of a truck and drive that to VA.

Unless the previous owner(s) beat on it, you should be OK for 500 miles (EXCEPT for the cam chain adjuster !!!!) If the bike is running OK, if your adjuster is OK 500 miles at 60-65 MPH is an enjoyable day putting the back roads. (i.e. Stay off the interstates.)

Really, 500 miles !That's a  walk in park ,check the tensioner, change to the raptor,save the rest for Christmas.

I've got to put the head plug in, check the adjuster, carb jets, and valve gap.  Figure I'm not far from doing the rest.  I'll be pulling the engine and setting it on a bench.  I'll have a full gasket set.
Plus the shocks, fork seals and rear tire.  So, might as well do it right.
I'm saving the performance goodies for a fun upgrade at some later date.
I just don't want to miss something while I'm in it.
I have the clymers, but no owners manual.

Hey! If you've got the dime and the time ,go for it ,but with only 13K on the bike you shouldn't have to look at anything other than the tensioner ,petcock ,oil & filter ,and maybe sparkplug,tires if they haven't got 500 mi worth of tread ,and carb needle lift & jets most of which you can do without going inside the engine.

Is the plug leaking? If it's  just weeping ,keep an eye on your oil level at each fill up.THe valve adjustment screw  tips tend to harden over time from strikeing the valve stems ,and usually don't need adjustment for a few thousand miles . Are they quiet or loud? then adjust.