Modern Vespa

Hi guys,

I think my US spec 1977 Rally is starting to show its age. This last week I've noticed that it runs well in the morning when the air is cool but in the afternoon when the temp warms up it starts to spit, sputter, pop and generally runs poorly.

I changed the spark plug as a test and the symptoms are the same. Same thing with fuel, I thought it might have been a bad tank of gas so I drained the tank and bought fuel at a different location. Nope, same thing.

So now I'm thinking that the original ignition is about to give up the ghost.

Am I right or am I missing something?

Thanks in advance

you can always check your compression, worth a quick look

Mark, I went thru the same thing. Look here for a good solution.
https://modernvespa.com/forum/post2527405#2527405

You'll have a tough time finding a replacement Femsa CDI for this bike.

Mark where you located?

Porano, in the Umbria region of central Italy

Anyone out there tried the VAPE ignition? I looked at Vespatronic and Pinasco Flytech but I keep coming back to the VAPE.

I do want keep the stock crank for now. I do have plans to do a full blown performance engine but that's another conversation for another time. For now I just want to upgrade the ignition as the rally season here in Italy is getting started again after a two year hiatus.

Thoughts ?

I wasn't aware that vape made a ignition for the rally femsa crank. If they now make one it maybe better then the vespatronic or pinasco. Both of those ignition require a little work for them run right. But once setup they seem to be fine.

I've would just get another femsa ignition and see where that goes. If it works get another as a back up. https://www.scootermercato.com/Scooter-Parts/Ignition-Coils/124697

Hi Rowdy, I can't tell from the SIP site if the VAPE fits a non-P crank so I sent them an email. I'll post their reply, usually they answer within a day or so.

there is no Vape for the Femsa rally.

we just got this for a customer: https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/ignition-vespatronic_50004600

but now its out of stock now . getting difficult with some products to keep in stock.

They don't make a Vape kit for the Femsa crank. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. Unfortunately, at least for now, your only options are a Vespatronic or a Flytech which are basically the same IDM ignition…

When I had ignition problems on my 1976 US Rally, it ended up being that the wiring from the stator was rotted and shorting out. I pulled the stator and re-wired it. Problem solved. My bike already has the CEAB-brand replacement CDI so I was pretty confident it wasn't that.

Thanks for all the advice guys, I'm ordering a Vespatronic from SIP and hoping it will get off the back order list soon.

I know I will have to replace my 6v bulbs with 12v and change the foot brake switch (per SIP's recommendation) but what about the horn? Can I keep the 6v or will it sound funny ?

The brake switch is fine since it's for a battery. You may have questions with wiring as the instructions can be confusing and don't describe femsa wiring.

as above, Pinasco also sales a Rally type ignition that uses the same IDM components. I have installed two of them. SIP has this item in stock. no need to wait for the Vespatronic.

Personally I still think you should check the stator wiring before buying a new CDI when AFAICT you have no clear proof that this is the problem. It could be an expensive purchase that doesn't fix the issue, and you often can't return electrical items. Removing the flywheel is not too hard and doesn't require special tools on that model. Then you can see what's what.