Starting to equip my XT600

[Makeroom]

I would like to thank all the contributors to this section. New to long distance travel the advice has been great especially the hard/soft luggage question. Ive given 15 weeks notice at work so should be long enough to get ready, sort out aches and pains etc, eventhough Im going to travel Australia first.
Luggage has been wittled down to soft panniers only because I have 2 sets sitting in the garage, 1 a dry rider set and the other an Australia Post set. I will make a frame myself and either modify a gearsack rack or build one myself. For something lockable same again I have some sheet steel so might as well put that to use. Tools will be enough to some simple repairs such as punctures, tyres, oil change, air filter, and valve clearences.
Center stand is first on my shopping list once the registration has been paid, just had the RWC done.
Still undecided on extra fuel. I like the idea of a big tank but have only found Acerbis ones so far but they are lacking in colour choice. A 10 ltr can could be the go or buy a steel tank and get it modified. Are there any manufactures who make large tanks for a 1998 model xt600 with a choice of colours?
Camping equipment and clothing are still sections Im wading through but have at leasted decided on a petrol stove. It appears alot of personal choice goes into equiping for a trip but knowing some of the advantages/disadvantages people have found with the vast aray of items available have certainly give me some ideas that I have never considered. Thankyou Ernie.