Try sending forum member run103 (doug) a PM. He seems to know alot about the DT400 ignitions

I will try that. Thank you!

I think you have me mixed up with Mako...  I don't have any recommendations on the Rex products from friends that have used them..

Good news though.  I really appreciate any company that is helping keep these old bikes alive!   

 

Sorry about that, I guess I got mixed up at the page switch. 
they are cool old bikes, and my plan was to do a restoration/refresh.  Was just hoping I could limp it along untill winter. So much for that plan! 

Not sure if I know a lot or I just have the experience with 17 restores that use this ignition.  First  is I found you should never kick these bikes over until you remove the mag cover and clean the crap  (rust dirt and whatever else seems to grow inside the cover)  out.  It doesn't seem to matter how rusty it looks as long as the magnets on the flywheel have not pinched debris between the magnets and the pulser sensor surface  If it has done that it breaks the fine wires inside the pulser and it is shot.  The bike will either not start at all ,  kick back and maybe run and take you 10 miles from home and then die , or kick back and still run OK once you get it started.  You can almost start the bike in slippers when the pulser is working properly.  On 17 bike I have had only on CDbox failure.  It was always the pulser and if you have a good one and keep it clean and dry  they will work for a long time..  So find a good pulser with 90+ ohms  cold or hot and install it and make sure you have clearance between the magnets and the pulser sensor and seal up the mag cover with a new gasket and route the vent hose properly and the fun begins.  I regularly do 100 to 200 mile rides and ignition work fine. Starts with an easy follow thru kick.  JUST MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR
Doug

Sounds like I should have checked under that cover before I ran it! 

My DT250 always had a strong Kickback (yes, a 250 also can ) Reason was the ignition coil, which supplied a spark, which looked fine, but it wasn't. Timing was at the right angle, but I guess weak spark didn't fire the gas powerful enough.  I removed all the old ignition parts and changed to VAPE 12V. Its quite cheap,  reliable, easy to install and battery is charged by 150 Watts. Nice headlight by 12 V. It's no problem,  that there is no Key to adjust the flywheel. 

I have a Rex ignition, no problems here and very simple to install.

DT Tim,
What model do you have? 6v? 12v?
thanks 

I just picked up a nice 75 DT400 that's been sitting a while. I heard it run for just a second when picking it up, then the plug fouled and I haven't touched it since (there's a Guzzi and Benelli in front of it in my job jar). I'm leaning towards just getting a Vape 12V kit for it with the battery/etc as this will be ridden on the street and I want functional turn signals. My question - is the Vape kit generally easier to start and more reliable than the stock ignition, assuming the stock setup is all within spec? I'm just looking for justification in spending the cash on the Vape up front rather than fight the 45 year old stock components.

Also for those who've installed the Vape 12V system - any gotchas? Did you replace your bulbs with 12V or leave the 6V in place?

Thanks