Mounting Instruction SIP PERFORMANCE Ignitions (VAPE) for Vespa & Lambretta

Developed jointly with VAPE spol. s.r.o. in the Czech Republic, the SIP Performance Ignition has been one of the most popular products in the field of classic Vespa and Lambretta technology for years. The complete history of its development is documented in the detailed blog article - this article focuses on the practical instructions for installation on a scooter and answers the most frequently asked installation and adjustment questions from everyday life.

TheSIP Performance Ignitionis still regarded as the benchmark for quality and reliability. SIP is continuously developing it further to further increase its versatility. The aim is to keep classic scooters on the road reliably in the long term. With a powerful ignition spark, contemporary ignition curve and strong Light thanks to 12V and 110W power.

Careful and precise work is recommended for successful installation. Functional checks and careful test runs are advisable after each installation step; an authorised specialist workshop should be consulted in case of uncertainty. A supplementary chapter provides an overview of alternative components, suitable spare and wear parts and recommended installation tools.

1. VAPE Ignition instructions: Preparation for installation

1.1: Mount the Lighting Coils / Stator on the Stator Plate. Take particular care at the cable outlet on the rear to ensure that no copper strands break. Apply Thread Locker to the fixing screws and tighten to 4-6 Nm.

1.2: Align the Fanwheel on the Flywheel and fasten with the enclosed countersunk screws. Tighten the Screws with 12-14 Nm.

2. VAPE Ignition instructions: Mounting the Base Plate

Note: The Ignition Base Plate is subject to high loads. Strong mechanical forces act on the Base Plate due to the magnetic field of the rotor and the vibrations of the engine running.

Flat contact surface!

The base plate must lie completely flat on the retaining feet of the Casing. No tilting! The Base Plate must not be bent when tightening the Screws.

Wire must not be crushed during installation!

The wiring harness must not be pinched between the Base Plate and the Crankcase - the Wires could break and the Base Plate would also be installed under tension. Carefully bend the wiring harness and ensure that the copper strand at the start of the coil does not break.

Fitting with rosette washers and countersunk screws!

Only use the enclosed SIP Mounting Kit with tapered Collar washers and countersunk screws. Never mount with weaker, smaller Screws or without washers.
Caution 1: Largeframe engines require 14 mm diameter collars, smallframe engines 16 mm diameter collars.
Caution 2: Mechanical processing (e.g. to create space for larger transfer ducts) weakens the base plate. This voids the manufacturer's warranty. For smallframe racing engines with very large transfer ducts: SIP PERFORMANCE Race Base Plate.

2.1: Feed the Wire through the cable duct in the Casing and attach the Stator Plate. In the example, align with the centre marking (pre-setting to approx. 20° before TDC).

2.2: Fasten the Stator Plate using only the enclosed tapered collars and countersunk screws.

2.3: RACE Base Plate for Smallframe Engines with very large transfer ducts for SIP PERFORMANCE by VAPE Ignition.

3. Instructions VAPE Ignition: Assembly of rotor / Flywheel / Flywheel and ignition timing

3.1: Fit the Flywheel. Replace the half-moon wedge if necessary.

3.2: For setting the ignition timing Piston Stopper to be fitted.

3.3: Ignition Timing Degree Disc andPointermount the degree disc. Turn the Flywheel (Crankshaft) clockwise against the Piston Stopper.

3.4: Set the Ignition Timing Degree Disc in the Stop on the Piston Stopper to exactly 0°. Do not turn the Flywheel in the process.

3.5: Carefully turn the Flywheel in the opposite direction as far as the Stop on the Piston Stopper and read off the number of degrees (here: 86°).

3.6: To determine the top dead centre, halve the measurement result (86° : 2 = 43°). Remove the Piston Stopper. Turn the Flywheel exactly to the determined value (here in the example: 43°).

3.7: Turn the Flywheel anti-clockwise until the "T" mark on the Stator Plate is exactly in line with the "TIMING" mark on the Flywheel. Read off the number of degrees (here in the example: 23°).

The value set here is shown in the ignition curve diagram as a blue dashed "timing" line (Road version: at 3,000 rpm, Sport version: at 2,300 rpm).

The desired ignition timing is set by turning the Stator Plate:
clockwise = less pre-ignition / anti-clockwise = more pre-ignition

As a rule of thumb, 18° pre-ignition can be set for static ignition timing (Road) and 23° for variable ignition timing (Sport). The exact, recommended value for pre-ignition is specified by the respective cylinder manufacturer.
Caution: Risk of overheating the Cylinder with too much pre-ignition!

SIP Holding Tools enable convenient, damage- and injury-free installation.
Ideally, the ignition setting should be checked with a strobe light once the ignition and Engine have been fully installed.

3.8: Tighten the Flywheel (consisting of the Flywheel and Fanwheel) on the centre Nut to 45-70 Nm.

4. VAPE ignition instructions: Installation of Electronic Unit / CDI / Ignition Coil and Control Unit

4.1: Fit Ignition Coil. Suitable Holder select.

4.2: The SIP Mounting Kit contains Rubber Collars to decouple the CDI from destructive vibrations.

SIP offers a wide range of brackets for VAPE CDIs (Electronic Units) for almost all Vespa and Lambretta engine types. Protect the CDI Ignition Coil from vibrations and secure it with the Mounting Kit.

If the original brackets of the Electronic Unit are to be reused, the SIP PERFORMANCE Classic Electronic Units for VAPE Ignitions can be replaced one-to-one on many Vespa models.

Important!!! Make sure that the brown Wire from the Stator Plate is connected to the steel bracket of the CDI!

4.3: The brown Wire MUST - as shown in the photo - be electrically connected to the steel bracket of the CDI! Otherwise, misfiring or complete failure of the ignition function may occur at certain engine speeds.

4.4: Plug of CDI and Stator Plate protected from environmental influences in the Rubber bellows 16486100.

A separable rubber grommet with plug connection for the wires of the Stator Plate and Electronic Unit is available as an accessory.

4.5: Check the Cable Plug and attach the contacts from the scope of delivery if necessary. Pay attention to the cable colours according to the wiring diagram.

4.6: Screw the HT Lead into the CDI and slip the rubber grommet over it. Attach the Spark Plug Resistor Cap to the other end of the HT Lead.

4.7: Fit the Voltage Regulator/Rectifier. Connect the cables with the enclosed plugs.

The current from the generator (Stator Plate) can be regulated to 12 V AC via a Voltage Regulator or converted to 12 V DC via a Rectifier. All you need to do is select the appropriate component (regulator or rectifier). Alternatively, a combined regulator-rectifier is also available as R54 AC/DC.

In some cases (alternating current), it is possible to retain the original Piaggio Voltage Regulator and connect the VAPE Ignition for Vespa and Lambretta to it (vehicles with two wires blue and black from the Engine to the chassis). We also recommend the SIP PERFORMANCE "Classic" Rectifiers and Voltage Regulators in the original housing - they are particularly easy to install.

Important: When converting from 6 V to 12 V, do not forget the 12V bulbs and a suitable Light Switch.

Finally, check the ignition timing again with the Stroboscopic Ignition Timing Lamp (see point 3.7).

Wiring diagram AC (without Battery) for Vape Ignition Classic, Road and Sport

Circuit diagram DC for Vape Ignition Classic, Road and Sport (with Battery)

Comparison diagram Ignition timing (OEM / SIP VAPE ignition ROAD):

approximately static (constant) ignition timing across all engine speeds.

Comparison diagram Ignition timing (OEM / SIP VAPE ignition SPORT):

significantly retarded (variable) ignition timing from 4,500 rpm.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question 1: Do I need the AC or DC version?
The decision is up to you and depends only on personal preference. If there is a standard Wiring Loom without a Battery, the AC Ignition is usually the simpler solution, as the Wiring Loom does not need to be changed. In some cases, the existing Voltage Regulator can even continue to be used.
For vehicles with breaker ignition, a conversion wiring harness must usually be installed. If many electronic or digital consumers are to be connected (e.g. LED headlights), a direct current (DC) vehicle electrical system is usually recommended for fault-free operation.

Question 2: Do I need the Road, Touring or Sport version?
The Road version is very similar to the standard Ducati ignition and the interrupter ignitions, with an almost static ignition timing.
The Sport version continuously adjusts the ignition timing from 4,700 rpm.
The Touring VAPE ignition offers both options: static ignition timing (Road) and variable ignition timing (Sport) with one and the same CDI and control unit. Switching is done by connecting or disconnecting a Wire. The variable ignition curve of the Touring VAPE ignition limits the adjustment to approx. 8°, which is advantageous for very high-revving Engines.
The Race version has 16 pre-programmed ignition curves, but can also be freely programmed (USB connection) and can also be assigned a static ignition curve.

Question 3: How is the Electronic Unit mounted?
We offer various Holders for the Electronic Unit as optional accessories (SIP item no. 17910400 / 16484500 / 17950500). Make sure that the CDI is rubber-mounted - ideally with the SIP Mounting Kit.

IMPORTANT! The brown Wire of the Stator Plate must be electrically connected to the metal bracket of the CDI! (No current can flow through the Rubber Buffer of the Mounting Kit.) The Ignition then stops in certain speed ranges or does not work at all.

Question 4: Can I use my SIP speedometer with the DC version?
When using the DC version in conjunction with a SIP tachometer, the KOSO signal filter should be used to reduce the speed. Alternatively, the special Voltage Regulator for T5 tachos can also be used.

Question 5: Can the earths of the regulator and Battery be combined in the DC variants?
Yes, these are connected.

Question 6: Do I really not need to flash the SIP PERFORMANCE by VAPE ignition?
As with many modern ignitions, the SIP Performance by VAPE ignition also has a marking on the Stator Plate and Flywheel that indicates the ignition timing when they are aligned. Ignition Timing Degree Disc and a pointer on the Crankcase and after determining the top dead centre, the desired pre-ignition can be easily set.
However, the markings are only visible when the Fanwheel is removed. If you want 100% certainty, flash the Ignition as usual with a strobe light.

Question 7: Does the SIP Performance Ignition also fit my PX "old" with Battery?
Without changing the Wiring Loom, this will not work, as the SIP Performance Ignition only has 2 wires and not 4 wires for the light current.

Question 8: How do I remove the Flywheel?
For the SIP Performance by VAPE Ignition, use the original Flywheel Puller for Vespa (M28 x 1.0 mm) or Lambretta - or the appropriate Puller Tool for the respective vehicle.

Question 9: Can I convert my AC Ignition to DC later?
Yes, only the AC Voltage Regulator needs to be replaced with the Rectifier of the DC version. A combined AC/DC regulator is also available.

Question 10: Can I convert my Road or Classic Ignition to Sport at a later date?
Yes, the CDIs (Electronic Units) for Sport and Road are interchangeable. The Classic VAPE Ignition can also be retrofitted with a Sport CDI for variable ignition timing adjustment.

Please note: Touring and Race VAPE ignitions each have a completely different Ignition Coil and control unit, which cannot be combined with the Flywheels of the Classic, Road and Sport versions. SIP offers Upgrade Kits for the Touring ignition, which include the matching Flywheel as well as the matching CDI Ignition Coil and Ignition Coil.

Video: the new VAPE Ignitions