Ive been running the Vape system on my Rd400D for about a year and its been totally reliable. I bought mine from Vintage motorcycle parts in the States as I wanted the machined key groove which made fitting a lot simpler. I checked the timing with a dial guage and it was spot on making it plug and play. Enjoying the videos.
Bike sounds great! I had a few 250 Aircooled back in the day, then a few LCs. I had the generator die intermittently on my 250DX as well, in the 80s, was a pain to track down the issue.
Subscribed. Good upload, I had an RD in the late eighties - very enjoyable knowledge base video, am sure this will be very useful for some RD owner out there. QQ.
I bought an abused 76 RD400 because it looked stock.. had the airbox and exhausts etc until I discovered the cylinder ports were some of the most butchered Id ever seen so spent $$$$ finding another stock set. I love the way stock RD motors sound and run, they're great with low mid torque and perfect for bombing around town without having to rev the snot out of it. However, the one thing I replaced was the ignition points with a Vape and I LOVE it. The bike feels so much smoother and maybe stronger... might just be the added flywheel effect but it feels good. Next will be to purchase the programmer and add a curve. I had an iggy on it before the Vape that had a safe curve in it and the bike had so much more power I was really surprised but the flywheel in it was tiny and weighed nothing and it really took away from the smoothness of the engine, I just didnt like it, this is why I went to Vape.
I had one in the yellow white black livery with custom leathers way back when of course I was not in posession of a bike license but this bike was a blast first qtr litre to hit over 100mph
Its great that we keep this old stuff going, getting crazily expensive for parts now and unfortunately the way prices are going for the bikes you won't even get your money back .I don't know if i missed it but did you put threadlock on the screws ? .
A smaller gap will generate more current, Also you should not use a metal feel a gauge, A piece of cardboard is better. When I was an apprentice I had .25 brass feller specifically for that task.
Recently had the Vape installed on both my stock '75 RD350B and '77 RD400D. A stronger spark at the right time all the time across the entire RPM range. Burns much cleaner, more power, don't have to rely on a 40+ year old ignition system to get me home. Absolutely the smartest upgrade I've done on these bikes. I bought the to ride and enjoy regularly and not worry about losing some of the original componentry. Absolutely no regrets!
Cool video. But I do have a question. What is the purpose of turning the ignition key all the way to the right while you're writing? What does that do?.... and I love the way those pipes sound!
I fitted one of these on my RD250 DX five years ago, the regulator failed after a couple of years a replacement was easily sourced any four wire regulator will do, i got a puller for a vespa scooter half the price of a powerdynamo ( vapes predecessor) had to grind the inside of the crankcase cover for it to fit. On the whole have been very oleased with the system.
Judging by the way that you set the system up it looks like it does not have a retard curve built into it which is a shame, you can get a lot more bottom end and mid range out of a 2 smoker if it runs such a system.
Ive been running the Vape system on my Rd400D for about a year and its been totally reliable. I bought mine from Vintage motorcycle parts in the States as I wanted the machined key groove which made fitting a lot simpler. I checked the timing with a dial guage and it was spot on making it plug and play. Enjoying the videos.
Thanks for your comment. Delighted the Vape system is reliable, fingers crossed mine will be to
Bike sounds great! I had a few 250 Aircooled back in the day, then a few LCs. I had the generator die intermittently on my 250DX as well, in the 80s, was a pain to track down the issue.
Thanks for your comment. I'd love to get an LC, there's just something special about 2 strokes
Subscribed. Good upload, I had an RD in the late eighties - very enjoyable knowledge base video, am sure this will be very useful for some RD owner out there. QQ.
Thanks, as frustrating as they are, they repay 110 fold once you have them running right
I bought an abused 76 RD400 because it looked stock.. had the airbox and exhausts etc until I discovered the cylinder ports were some of the most butchered Id ever seen so spent $$$$ finding another stock set. I love the way stock RD motors sound and run, they're great with low mid torque and perfect for bombing around town without having to rev the snot out of it. However, the one thing I replaced was the ignition points with a Vape and I LOVE it. The bike feels so much smoother and maybe stronger... might just be the added flywheel effect but it feels good. Next will be to purchase the programmer and add a curve. I had an iggy on it before the Vape that had a safe curve in it and the bike had so much more power I was really surprised but the flywheel in it was tiny and weighed nothing and it really took away from the smoothness of the engine, I just didnt like it, this is why I went to Vape.
Thanks for your comment. Let me know how you get on
Bought that exact bike in late 73 for a little over 900.00. Super fast bike at the time!!
They are great fun, I love two strokes
I had one in the yellow white black livery with custom leathers way back when of course I was not in posession of a bike license but this bike was a blast first qtr litre to hit over 100mph
I think the Suzuki GT250X7 may have something to say about that claim!! (old x7 owner here!!)
Its great that we keep this old stuff going, getting crazily expensive for parts now and unfortunately the way prices are going for the bikes you won't even get your money back .I don't know if i missed it but did you put threadlock on the screws ? .
Thanks for your comment, sadly very true I'll not get back what I've put into the bike. Yes just a tiny amount of thread lock
A smaller gap will generate more current, Also you should not use a metal feel a gauge, A piece of cardboard is better. When I was an apprentice I had .25 brass feller specifically for that task.
Hi Jess thanks for your message, really useful to know
Brilliant video. My 74 RD350 deserves this vape system. Going to pull the trigger on it, you’ve inspired me. Are those the JL Retro chambers?
Pleased you enjoyed the video. The exhausts are period All Speeds. Good luck with the Vape
Recently had the Vape installed on both my stock '75 RD350B and '77 RD400D. A stronger spark at the right time all the time across the entire RPM range. Burns much cleaner, more power, don't have to rely on a 40+ year old ignition system to get me home. Absolutely the smartest upgrade I've done on these bikes. I bought the to ride and enjoy regularly and not worry about losing some of the original componentry. Absolutely no regrets!
Cool video. But I do have a question. What is the purpose of turning the ignition key all the way to the right while you're writing? What does that do?.... and I love the way those pipes sound!
Thanks Andy. Turning the key to the right switches the lights on
Where did you end up at with the carbs settings your final jetting and carb settings
I fitted one of these on my RD250 DX five years ago, the regulator failed after a couple of years a replacement was easily sourced any four wire regulator will do, i got a puller for a vespa scooter half the price of a powerdynamo ( vapes predecessor) had to grind the inside of the crankcase cover for it to fit. On the whole have been very oleased with the system.
Hi George, I'm pleased with it too. It cured so many electrical problems I had
Where did you get the vape system from
Installed vape system and I an only getting spark once in a while. 10-20 kicks or so….
Any ideas? I’m stumped
Perfect!! Do you know here i can find this one for suzuki 250 ??
I think so...www.vape.eu/suzuki
Should there be a cover on the fuses and water will get in
Thanks for your comment, yes there is a fuse cover but I probably missed filming it
Hi, where did you buy fuse/ regulator/rectifier plate?
A guy named Dave Filo(Philo?) on the RD Aircooled club on Facebook
Muy bueno, tengo un RD400, y lo necesito, y me es necesario, pero estoy en Venezuela, José Campos, Yaritagua- Estado Yaracuy.
Hola José, gracias por tu comentario. ¡El RD400 es magnífico!
Judging by the way that you set the system up it looks like it does not have a retard curve built into it which is a shame, you can get a lot more bottom end and mid range out of a 2 smoker if it runs such a system.
I've had two vape equipped bikes that have died on the road and left me up shit creek. Total junk.