In my opinion, we are still waiting for a perfect ignition system for tuned Vespa and Lambretta scooters.
- Original ignitions are heavy and have fixed timing which limits the power potential.
- Many of the aftermarket standard style electronic ignitions are poor quality junk.
- Of the modern variable ignition systems; those using the 4-pole IDM stators tend to have fixed ignition mapping and poor lighting performance.
Tim Weinheimer’s firm Overrev of Braunschweig have teamed up with LTH to produce a new ignition system aimed at solving all of those problems. It is entirely European-made and based on components from Czech manufacturer Vape.
Claimed advantages:
- 16 timing curves, no matter how your engine is peaking, you are most likely to find a curve that will stretch your usable powerband (with more low end torque and more overrevving capability).
- Enormous ignition power output which will work up to 15,000 rpm
- Twin pick-up design for accurate spark timing
- High DC lighting power output (>110W) thanks to 8 coils; no more fiddling around with low light output while at the traffic lights.
- Comes with a DC regulator that works with and without a battery (this makes the usage of all kind of fancy tools like Lambda meter, EGT, USB chargers, SatNav and so on, quite easy)
- Balanced, one-piece flywheel with no rivets to shear. 12 magnets.
- Accepts plastic “Vespatronic”-style fans and aluminium aftermarket alternatives from many manufacturers.
- Bolt-on flywheel tool for increased security when fastening.
What does it fit?
Currently there are versions for all ‘thick-taper’ Vespa largeframe and smallframe cranks (e.g. PX and PK, with specific stators to suit) and there is a forthcoming Lambretta version due in 2018 called the “Overrev LTH” ignition.
How does it work?
The CDI features four dip-switches offering 16 possible configurations each with their own curve. These vary from a static line to several extreme settings with large levels of advance aimed at high-revving competition engines like the Falc. With ignition timing there are great gains to be had but these aren’t without risk if you try to be too greedy and run too much ignition advance as the engine starts to come ‘on pipe’. The instructions warn that you will also need to adjust your carburetion for different ignition settings; making it richer if you run more timing advance.
What does it cost?
The current retail price for the Vespa versions is 450 Euros without a fan, or for 499 Euros you can get it with a plastic fan. There are also many suitable upgrade aluminium fans on the market.
The forthcoming Lambretta version will be priced at 450 Euros without a fan, or 500 Euros with a Varitronic-style fan.
