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GOOD. BETTER. NOT BOSCH.

This basically only relates to the triple owners. The Breganze 750 twins seem to run fine on their simple points ignition, while the 500's do not seem to suffer the problems that triples do when it comes to rough running on the Bosch HKZ or BTZ ignition systems. Obviously the Zanè bikes run a very sophisticated EFI/EMS system which does not generally need upgrading. Some people have upgraded their Breganze 750 ignitions to more modern alternatives with good results, but by and large riders of these bikes seem to be happy enough with the points.

So this section refers only to the Breganze triples, equipped originally with Bosch systems, either HKZ on the early bikes, or BTZ from about 1978 onwards. The drawbacks of these units has been written about widely for years, they were good units at the time, but significant improvements to the engine behaviour can be wrought from the modern alternatives.

Part of the problem is now also related to age. I found I had no problems at all with the Bosch BTZ system on my RGA, however as the years wound on the bike became increasingly sensitive to the age of the plugs, and it was very hard to start and ran poorly down low with plugs any older than about 2000km. After I changed to an IIS system, the plug replacement happened at 10-15,000km and then only out of a sense of guilt.

Moto Witt / DMC: This company has been making ignitions for the Laverda triples since the mid 80's. The unit has changed somewhat during those years and has proven itself over hundreds of thousands of kilometers use throughout the world. These are easily available from many parts suppliers, Wolfgang Haerter in Canada, Andy Wagner in Germany, spring to mind but check your local/favorite dealer.

Intelligent Ignition Systems (IIS): A one-man operation from the house of it's designer, developer and producer John Wilson in Australia, this in my opinion represents the best system that can be had for the Laverda triple. Back-to-back testing with a DMC will not show a chalk-and-cheese difference- both are light years ahead of the original - but the IIS has very nice features in terms of installation, timing and diagnosis.
The down side is that of supply, they are hard to get. All you can do is contact John, put your name down and see how you go. Mail John on .