Wow, your trip sounds fantastic!
I run with Motorex in mine:
..not cheap but it seems to run really well. Stock up before ye go
The DZUS conversion, I would strongly recommend you do it. The standard headlight mask rubber recess / retainers do not last too long I found. They end up slipping through the holes and are a real pain to hold in place when attaching those 6 front fairing screws.
I got mine from DemonTweeks, for the front fairing that John supplied you, you need the 12mm D-Ring type (6 of). Plus 6 backs / retaining plates and 6 washers.
Then you will need to remove the rubberised recess holders that are in that headlight unit that the existing bolts screw into. Then you either rivet or.. drill in 2 small screws per hole on the headlight mask. You then fit some small screws through your holes into the retaining plates and put small nuts on the back of each and tighten.
Demon Tweeks Part Nums:
6 x D-Ring Type DZUS Studs (Steel)
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/quick-release-fasteners/dzus-panex-range-d-ring-fastener
6 x Dzus Panex Range Retaining Washer
(Steel)
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/quick-release-fasteners/dzus-panex-range-retaining-washer
6 x Receptacle plate (rivet on)
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/quick-release-fasteners/dzus-panex-range-receptacle-plate
In fact, you could go one further and get an additional 4 DZUS studs as I have and fit an additional 4 (2 for each side fairing)?
..A very worthwhile upgrade IMHO.
Quick pic. (just finished mine last night):
Note the 2 Solstice-X additional lights under the nose, out of the way - very low amp requirement and you can wire them into the spare accessory socket
For what you are doing you sound like you will need them? I put on a spot and a spread, a mate of mine told me about them, I'm dead impressed with them.
You could probably even get stuff like a Leatherman behind that front fairing (freeing up the toolkit you are putting on the side for other vital things), so this DZUS upgrade is going to be even more critical to allow quicker and easier access behind there. Here is my Leatherman behind there and I still have room for more s**t, like a nice set of cheese and tom sarnies
:
(Leatherman up in the top right there).
The slight ball ache is getting at that fuel tank for spare fuel easily and quickly - I wondered about converting to DZUS on that main bracket at the front of the bash plate (2 bolts into that bracket), but then decided it might not be a safe plan to use DZUS? What are you doing to make it easy to get at the spare fuel, or are you just going to release the bash plate totally to get at it?
All the best - and enjoy your 690, she's a minter!
..and get some piccies up when she is totally finished, graphics and all!
I'll have a word with the Boss to see if anyone could be trained up. 
