I think it was discussed a while ago that the smaller gearbox spring was worth packing as a spare. I've had a look at previous posts but with my limited knowledge, I can't work-out what I need. Any help will be gratefully received, doubly-so if someone has a part number!

Also, any tips on what other spares are worth packing?

email (option): lee@twowheelstested.co.uk

Hi Lee...The spring is 15-4161..Gearchange pawl spring...

I don't take very much in the way of spares...Rarely needed with a well sorted M20. I'll post a list tomorrow....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Thanks Ian

email (option): wariron@tpg,com,au

Hi Lee..

Inner tube...
Puncture repair kit...
Cables..Clutch, valve lifter, throttle, adv/rtd...
Front and rear bulb...(a legal requirement in France)
Contact breakers...
Spark Plug...(pre gapped to .018" and tested on the bike.. Occasionally you can get a faulty new plug)
Head gasket...
Gearbox outer cover gasket...
Gear change return spring...
Kickstart return spring...
Kickstart cotter pin and nut
The 'split fitting' that fits into the throttle drum where the cable enters..These often get lost if the cable breaks...
Chain links and half links for primary and rear chains...
The ball in the clutch operating arm...
The pivot pin for the clutch operating arm...
A roll of insulating tape...
Some electrical wire...
Some soft wire...
A few cable ties...
A selection of nuts, bolts and washers...
A small tin of WD40...

This looks like a lot but many of the items are small so it doesn't take up too much room on the bike. Also the inconvenience caused by the failure or loss of some of these items is greater than the effort of taking them and there is nothing worse than being stopped by something small like a gearchange return spring...

Personally I've never had to fit one to my own bike (when I needed one I didn't have it...lesson learned)...However, I've supplied springs on two occasions in Normandy for other people!..(in fact I now carry two.. )

Like Trevor I've only used the odd nut and bolt...My M20 hasn't broken down on the road for well over 15 years... ..I've just had a few punctures in that time..
Also I don't drive, so apart from a couple of trips from Ron Piers house to the campsite in Normandy by trailer I ride everywhere....

A successful trip in my book is one where I don't have to get my tools/spares out...
To that end I do the work as far as possible beforehand, in the comfort of my own workshop. A correctly rebuilt and prepared bike is unlikely to need anything more than minor attention out on the road....

The final thing to remember is that whatever you might do with the spares listed you need all the correct tools to do it!...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Bike,
Tent,
Sleeping bag,
Money for beer
Credit card,
Carol Nash card,
& the kind of luck that looks after fools and drunkards.

The trouble is the further you go (particularly if a cross channel ferry is involved) and the longer you go for, the more you have invested 'up front' both financially and in planning, preparation and anticipation...

Recovery gets you home but it doesn't recover your up front costs, recover your lost holiday, lessen the feeling you have failed to achieve what you set out to do or compensate for the fact that failure might easily have been prevented.... ....

PPPPPP....You know what it means..... ....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Ian, Trevor & Richard - thanks for the lists.

I'm hoping that taking some spares works in the same way as packing waterproofs - if packed, chances are they won't be needed.

Normandy 2014 has been on my to-do list since buying my M20, which wasn't long after the 65 for 65 trip and I'm hoping to cover some miles between the 2nd & 8th June. Here's hoping they're relatively drama free!