Man, midnight breakdowns are always the worst—been there myself. Curious though, did you pinpoint exactly what caused the issue? Was it just a belt snapping or something deeper like overheating or electrical gremlins? I've found that carrying spare ignition components and a multimeter can really save your bacon on these older rides. Sounds like you've got a solid emergency kit now, though...smart move.
Had a similar midnight fiasco last summer—turned out to be a sneaky grounding issue. Curious if you've checked your wiring harness lately? Older insulation can crack and cause intermittent headaches... learned that one the hard way.
Had a similar issue myself a couple years back on a cross-country run. Thought it was fuel-related at first—engine sputtering randomly, especially after hitting bumps. Turned out the wiring harness had rubbed against the frame just enough to expose some copper. Wrapped it up with electrical tape as a quick fix, and it held up surprisingly well for the rest of the trip. Definitely worth giving your harness a thorough once-over before your next long haul... saves a lot of roadside headaches.
Good call on the wiring harness check—had a similar experience myself. But honestly, I'd be cautious about relying too heavily on electrical tape for the long haul. It's great for a quick roadside fix (been there, done that), but vibrations and heat can eventually loosen it up. If you're planning more trips, here's what I'd suggest: first, clean the area thoroughly so there's no dirt or grease. Next, wrap the exposed wires individually with heat-shrink tubing if possible—just slide it on, heat gently with a lighter or heat gun, and you're golden. After that, bundle them together neatly with some automotive loom tape or split loom tubing. Finally, secure the harness away from sharp edges or pinch points using zip ties or clips. Takes a bit more effort upfront, but trust me, your future self will thank you when you're not stranded in the middle of nowhere trying to MacGyver your way home... again.
"It's great for a quick roadside fix (been there, done that), but vibrations and heat can eventually loosen it up."
Yeah, learned that lesson the hard way myself... electrical tape is handy but definitely not bulletproof. Heat shrink tubing sounds solid, but does anyone know if there's a budget-friendly alternative that's still reliable? I'm always looking to save a few bucks without risking another roadside adventure.
