Modern Vespa

When setting or adjusting the timing on a points ignition sytem, is it possible to adjust the timing by advancing / retarding the stator, and adjusting the points gap? Or is the correct timing reached by *only* adjusting the points gap?
cheers

You adjust the position of the stator to set/adjust timing.

Actually both. The point gap has a rather large range, enough to give you about +- 3deg or more of timing adjustment. But you really want it to be in the middle of that range. I use the following process:

1. Set the gap to the middle of the range.
2. Adjust the stator position till it is within 1deg of the target timing (ideally right on)
3. Adjust the point gap to bring the timing exactly where you want it.

For future tuneups the timing can be set by just adjusting the point gap.

Thanks. I've only ever adjusted the point gap to set the timing. Then i saw scooterhelp.com describing setting the point gap to .35mm, then setting the timing by adjusting the stator plate. I though stator plate adjustment was electronic ignition only. Wrong again

Oliver, there is a Scooter West video of what Opps is talking about. On their website under Tech videos.

Seen it. In that video timing is set by adjusting points only, right?

Correct.

yep. I reset my timing today by setting the points gap to .35 mm, then using a strobe and adjusting the stator plate to nail the timing. It was so much more accurate and quicker than fiddling with the points gap. Scooter runs same tho