stevenrengifo,
You'll need at least a front brake and levers on both sides of your bar. You can siamese the cable to have both left and right brake levers pulling the front brake. Make sure the brake works. For long, unsupported touring I'd recommend a BOB trailer as opposed to loading everything onto racks and panniers - still use racks and panniers but the trailer can haul the heavy crap. Carry a cell phone and GPS. Call home every single day. You don't need to actually use the cell. It's for people to call you or for you to call 911 if the need arises. Carry 2 patch kits, at least 2 tubes, tire irons, wrenches that fit every single bolt on your bike and all sorts of other things like batteries that fit your lights. Read up, talk to people and most of all be safe.