Okay, I've got just over a months before I set off on my tour to Italy and need to start thinking about preparing the bike. It's not due a service for another 3000+ miles but I think I'll change the engine oil and shaft drive oil anyway just before I go as I'll probably be past the service point by the time I get back.  I'll be taking spare bulbs and fuses, a puncture kit and first aid kit just in case.  There is a support van (in case of anything major) and I have European breakdown cover.  Maps and route notes have all been sent to me and the GPS will be programmed with it all also.

So what else is there?  Do headlights need to be adjusted, GB sticker on the back.  I've never toured in Europe before so sage advice from the more experienced welcome.

They ride on the right over there.
Especially roundabouts.

if its easy enough you might want to adjust the headlight so it dips t'other way a bit-or stick one of those car dip convertors on-otherwise you seem to be more than prepared.

Well I've just spent the last three hours going through the route notes and plotting the route on Autoroute.  3493 miles door to door! (not allowing for detours or casual rides on rest days).  Think I'll add pile cream to the first aid kit  :cry: Longest day is 368 miles (not counting the trip to and from Dover which is 500 miles each way) so not too bad really.

So Davie keep some gallery free as I think I'll be bring a few photos back.

This bloke has done a fair bit of touring. He written a few articles about touring, which you might find useful.

http://www.ellott.com/

He was another ex-bikenet member, went by the name of longrider.

No worries T.C I had thought of and organised all of those but if anything else springs to mind then feel free to chip in again.