Modern Vespa

Yes, it's probably time to VAPE yellow. I could be wrong but think the points were having trouble keeping up through the rev range. The quality of replacements these days isn't quite what it used to be. They aren't shimmed as tight, and probably developed some bounce and float during the extended hard riding.

We should probably have strobed it and checked timing after sorting the points, too.

Oh, well...next time ..

Pinasco 'Magny Course' 177 alu with BGM head, 57mm cut crank, 20/20 with bellmouth, BGM Big Box, BGM Superstrong with extra tooth Yep, who knows where timing was. But we were all antsy to get moving.

Thanks! Starting to think of a parts list for Dave. Tired of not addressing him, going on the lift after SuperSunday.

So, your primaries are 23/67? What sort of top speed are you seeing?

Yes, 23/67. It was a 65mph set up when all the stars aligned … not a screamer, more of a workhorse, ran cool as a cucumber.

If you do, you're going to kick yourself for not doing it sooner.
Issue is described from 2:10-4:10 or so in this video (auto-translation works well enough on this one ).

How about Vape Road DC and add a battery?
Lights on when switched vs running. Tail light so bright it acts as a reverse light while backing out of the garage.

Thx Ray happy to watch and listen but I have no idea how auto translate works

Brief hack of that translation:

"Contact ignition is very bad then we have moving parts in a contact ignition.
Inside the things are subject to wear and tear and all these are points
which are counterproductive for a tuning engine.
We went and converted to an electronic ignition and actually the
success set is that the engines run cleaner, has more even power build-up today and so on.
Yes, contacts should be thrown out because contact ignition is not
the revving pleasure that my parts produce or the general tuning also produces.
At some point comes the area when the contact finding makes too much speed then the moving parts like the ignition contact and such things are too slow and take too long and then the ignition timing is no longer correct for combustion and then the whole system collapses.
And yes the engine cannot develop the power that it theoretically can with the new parts like cylinder, exhaust, carburettor and so on.
The fleece must be greased regularly because the
deflection from the cam to contact wears, the capacitor wears out
and so on, and these are all things that we don't actually need.
The fun of the whole thing hinders the goal we are aiming for in tuning."

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Chandler caught this image coming in on the first night.
I am a big fan of DC - not sure why anyone would opt for AC when putting a VAPE on?

Allows for LED's...
World of difference both in daytime and darkness.
For any meaningful riding in the dark - its a real game changer.

Fixed that for you

Mike's light was six volts of fury.

At least the light on the P was twelve volts...when it wasn't zero volts.

I'm looking at a Vape system for the 63VBB and noticed our favorite Market doesn't carry the DC version, but does sell the DC regulator.

I'm debating on having him order the DC version from SIP, or just get the AC he has in stock. Hmmm.

What would y'all do?

Also, I rarely ride at night (deal I made with my wife) but bright lights are always a good thing, day or night....

I'd have him order it for you. No need to settle when it's really only costing you a little bit of time.

Can't believe you're still on points Mike. Personally I think the only thing they have going for them is that they're original. To never have to wonder if your points are ok or if the condensor might be going bad, that's a thing of beauty right there. They're all AC, the only difference is the regulator.

Rarely a more true word spoken.
Imo reliable electronic ignition was (and still is) thé major tech leap forward in ICE.
On pre-mix 2 strokes with 12V magneto, no battery it imo makes for no worries KISS reliability.

Aw c'mon, don't go hating on points. CDI's have been known to crap out too.

But yes, they have their limitations and we can't expect them to do more than they're capable of doing.

I stay in touch with the Classic Honda-twin world, and they have the same problem with getting quality points and condensers. NOS parts ran out many years ago out, so most use parts that need to be modified to work. These parts are made in a country I won't mention, so that supply may end soon as well. Thankfully, an electronic system had been developed and has been working well. The simplicity of points and condensers are lovely and belong on stock, vintage machines, but I think once it has been modified beyond it's original abilities, the upgrade has to be worth it,

Hence not upgrading my 1939 Nimbus but it still is a

I don't hate them as such, just glad all that is behind me!

And yes, I had a couple of years where I carried a spare CDI because they (3, maybe 4) kept going bad. It ended when I seized my old Polini, not from bad jetting but a bad cdi. Looking at it with the timing light, it would get up to about 3 or 4k and then start retarding and advancing about 20 degrees!! Made a Vape a much easier decision.