SPITFIRE Multi- spark ignition unit for LAVERDA motorcycles

DoC!

DoC!

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Location
Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire (God's country)
I've just noticed this item come up on eBay UK.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SPITFIRE-MOTORCYCLE-MULTI-SPARK-IGNITION-UNIT-LAVERDA-MOTOR-CYCLES-RRP-20-/120920940804?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item1c27732104

I don't think I would ever buy one as the 120's start really well now with electronic ignition. It could also be prone to damp....

What really attracted my attention was the statement at the bottom of the add:

Yes Our Unit Should Rattle  :o



Does anyone have any knowledge/experience with these?

Comments welcome too.  :D

Cheers

DoC!
 
The claims of a better spark are the opposite of what I would expect from an inline attachment.

A friend of mine from work is an engineer and into vintage and veteran cars. He was having trouble burning out spark plugs on one of his classics. He was speaking to a rep who sold him something that looked vaguely similar but its job was to reduce the spark at the plug. Basically there was a little gap in it and the spark had to jump that and then the plug. I have a vague memory of it being described as "cooling" the spark.

Why he just didn't use a resistor plug cap, ballast resistor on the coil, higher resistant coil, silicone high resistant leads, widen the points gap or a few other ways to reduce the spark is beyond me.

Must of been a reason, probably trying to keep it as original as possible I guess.

Rod
 
It looks like the old trick that was often used to get a whiskered plug to respond - pull the plug cap a small distance away from the plug, which caused the spark to jump the gap, causing a larger spark at the plug. It does work, but not sure what the hell it does to timing in constant use though. Also, if you are doing it the old way and holding the lead....it can give you a fair old jolt  :D

Definitely snake oil.....
Works a treat on diesel engines mind  (hahaha)

Pete
 
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