Could not find any silicon wire locally (Port Elizabeth, South Africa), but have ordered a 100m roll of 0.5mm2 on-line. In the meantime, I taped up the existing wiring, adding a little extra insulation at the connections, and so far the bike is going well.
I have also found a supplier for the CYHME56 and have measured up the back plate for lazer cutting. I may just make-up a spare assembly, test it and keep my original as a spare.
I did not reset the timing. I made a mark on the backplate and put it back in the same position.