Not to be confused with the insurance company, Allstate was a distributor of motorcycles, scooters, and even a couple of cars between the 40s and the 60s. Through varying partnerships with Gilera, Puch, Vespa, Cushman, and others, Allstate sold vehicles through unconventional outlays. The Allstate SR250 was a rebranded Puch, and you could order it at a Sears department store or mail-order catalog.
38,584 examples were sold over the production run between 1953 and 1970. This bike went by a few names – officially in its home country of Austria (and several other export countries) it was called the Puch 250 SGS.
It was also called the “Twingle” as it featured an interesting engine design where two pistons shared one combustion chamber. The fascinating 248cc engine produced 16.5 horsepower and 18 pound-feet of torque. One piston is designed to bring fuel in from the crankcase while the other gets rid of the burned charge to the exhaust headers. Both pistons are connected with one connecting rod.
This example is VIN: 1578783. The seller purchased it two years ago from his friend who was the original owner.
During his ownership, the seller has covered 60 miles. The odometer shows 2,618 miles.
“I purchased this bike on 6/5/24 from a good friend who was 84 years old. He worked as a repair man for Sears and purchased the bike new. He parked it in his basement in the early 70’s. I wanted to have him take it for a ride once I restored it. I finished restoring it this winter, but he passed away this spring before he got a change to take it for a spin. He was still riding up to the time he passed. It belongs in a collection. I just wanted to restore it and take it for some rides. After the original owner passed, I have no reason to keep it.”
Maintenance:
“When I purchased the bike, the paint was in poor condition, the brake drums were rusted to the brake shoes and the spokes were corroded.
I stripped the bike and repainted it using a single stage paint with the same texture of the original paint. The wheels were unlaced and the spokes removed and replated with zinc. The brake drums were turned to remove the rust and true them. The tires are the originals and show no weather cracking, I just installed new tubes. The grips and the rubber on the footpegs and shifter are original and in good condition. The seat is completely original and is in good condition. All the cables were cleaned and lubed.
The top end was removed and no rust was found on the cylinder bore. The pistons were decarbonized and the cylinder repainted. There was some rust in the tank, it was cleaned, but the fuel valve could not be repaired so I replaced it with an aftermarket valve that does not have reserve. I had to replace the original brass float in the carb with a new Bing plastic float. The forks were disassembled and cleaned. Everything on the electrical system works, but I could not get the 6 volt voltage regulator to work correctly and could not find a replacement so I installed a automotive regulator in the frame, it now charges at 7 volts. There is a new 6 volt battery installed inside of the shell of the original battery. I have the original detailed owner manual with wiring diagrams and complete parts blow up of the entire bike including the engine.
After my friend passed his family found a spare engine that was left at the Sears repair center he worked in, the cylinder and head are missing but it appears to have new pistons installed. There is an original voltage regulator on it as well. I have no idea of the condition of the bottom end on the spare engine.”
The seller states that there are no known mechanical issues. “The bike runs great. Pulls strong, shifts well. The wheels are true and the brakes are smooth.”
Modifications:
Inline fuel filter.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Semperit tires that have aged out.
The sale includes 2 ignition keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“This bike has not been over restored. Some of the chrome was lightly pitted and scratches on the rims. The exhaust pipes had a few dents that were cut out and patches made of thin wall ss tubing tige welded in place. They can only be seen when laying the bike on its side.”
Currently located in Cumberland, Maryland, this Allstate is offered on a clean Maryland title. Have any 175 Dual Twin stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
