Modern Vespa

I have a Sears Allstate Blue Badge smallframe, purchased a AC static SIP electronic ignition. Installed then set timing, scooter sounds good, but when I put in gear and try to ride its low on power. When old stator plate was on it ran fine. Any thoughts of whats going on ?

Sounds like your ignition timing (angle) is set differently to your old ignition. Did you measure it with the strobe light?

Yes I did, didnt stop till it was right on. Foolish question but do you know if deg BTDC changes with electronic ignition ?

The timing is the same for points or electronic ignition.

What electronic ignition did you buy? Some have auto retarding, so it varies/adjusts the timing across the rev range.

I expect you would know if you bought a system like that though, or saw in the instructions how to set the timing to account for the auto adjusting.

With some kits yes, with some no. Depends which one you've purchased. For an example, Vape makes both. Usually it's referred to as fixed ignition (timing) and variable ignition (timing).

For the ones with variable timing, it's crucial to set the ignition as manufacturer recommends, so that ignition can operate in the full range of engine operation.

For ones with fixed timing, you basically set the timing to be nominal in a certain rpm range, and let the bike live with the rest. So with fixed timing, it's easier to play, if you like, with changing timing to suit your driving style. For an example, if you set the timing for the engine to work flawlessly at idle, it wouldn't develop any power up the rev range. Versus, if you set the timing for high rpms, then the bike will struggle at lower ranges.

Hope this comes across properly.

But also becaware that too much advance on static timing is a great way to hole a piston.

What did you set timing to (degrees BTDC), how do you know, and what's your top end?