Do I need spare CDI, reg, carb diagpr?

[ShaunC]

Hi,I am planning a trip around South America next year on an XTZ660. I am trying to decide what spares to take. In particular, CDI unit, regulator, and CV carb diagpragm. Ignition and carbs on XTZ 660 are basically the same as XT / TT 600. These are very expensive items - do I really need them? Does anyone know the history of failures of these items?

Thanks
Shaun

[peterkik]

Hi

Nice question. You do know that whatever you take with you is not the thing that will break :-)
I ussualy only take those spares to replace items that really stop you when they break. As long as you can move you can get somewhere to order the items by mail. This is especially the case while travelling deserts where being able to move also means survival.In other circumstances you probably always will be able to get to a town (with or without the bike) and order them by mail from home.
So when time is not a problem I would take few spares (this also keeps the bike lighter which in turn means teh bike is less likely to break down)
Back to your question: only take a cdi when it is a known weak point of a 660 (which i dont know). As far as I know regulators dont often fail at once and stop you immediately. When the 660 has two carburators like the 600 I think you could still be riding on the first carb. Not fast, but you would be moving.

This is just my personal opinion, based on a very lucky history of trouble free travel in Africa. (quite sure not everybody will agree with me :-)

Peter

[FredXTZ]

Hello Shaun, I have a 1992 660 myself and the only thing that really broke down in all tose years of abuse [except for the parts that wear] was the regulator. Be sure to replace the standard regulator with a new version with cooling fins before you go anywhere.

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

[david lambeth]

Hi
660 ignition units are very reliable, you should not need one.
The regulator/rectifier on the other hand can cause problems and if it does, then your ignition will only last untill your battery goes flat because the 660 uses battery powered ignition not cdi.
In short, always take a spare reg/rec if you ride a 3TB, 4PT or a 660.
David Lambeth.

[ShaunC]

Thanks for your replies - I wont bother taking a CDI or carb diagpragm but may take a regulator even though I have the later finned version.
Good travels
Shaun