Sears, Roebuck & Company* was certainly the Amazon of the 20th Century selling everything from house kits to furniture, clothing, farm equipment, appliances and motorcycles. Much of their product line was sourced and rebadged or made to specification. The first Sears motorcycles were offered for only a few years just after 1910 with a second wave beginning about five years after World War II. Sears offered mopeds, scooters and small motorcycles from a variety of manufacturers. Many of today’s older riders studied the “Wish Book,” then visited a Sears Roebuck store and bought a bike; some were shipped to your door in crates with some assembly required.
With so many choices in scooters and motorcycles, the 1950’s and early 1960’s were a great time to become a motorcyclist. Cushman scooters, Whizzers, Vespas, Harley Hummers, BSA Bantams, and a wide range of offerings from many Italian manufacturers were out there, new and used. For America the Austrian-made Steyer-Daimler Puch (Pook) became the Sears Allstate that was made from 1953 to 1970. Black or maroon, later silver and red, the Allstate was pretty conservative in styling and performance. But it was also tough and got a generation out on the roads; with a torquey engine, some even used them for trail riding adventures.
Many of Sears offerings were of European manufacture and two-strokes, the big Allstate 250 a “twingle” by design. It’s easy to think of the “twingle” two-stroke engine design as similar to a split piston; a pair of pistons in two cylinders in place of one piston in one cylinder, but as shown in the photo below, the engineering is much more complex! In fact in the twingle design one is piston behind the other and each piston is used for different functions. One is bringing fresh fuel to the combustion chamber from the crankcase, while the other is expelling the burned charge out the exhaust. One connecting rod operates both pistons, with the secondary connecting rod forked off the main rod. The design** has many variants and is over 100 years old, with the designs by the Austrian manufacturer Puch dating to 1923.
In addition to this handsome, original unrestored Sears Allstate 250, the National Motorcycle Museum has dozens of small motorcycles, scooters and power-cycles from the 1950’s and 1960’s and several others that were sold by Sears Roebuck. Baby Boomers and their parents are likely to find some that come under the heading of My First Bike.
*Sears, Roebuck & Company was formed in 1886. The name is now abbreviated to Sears.
**The term twingle is also sometimes used to describe parallel or V-Twin four-stroke engines which have been re-engineered to have cylinders fire simultaneously, acting like a single cylinder engine, typically offering better hookup for dirt track racing.
Specifications:
- Engine: 248cc Two-Stroke
- Design: Two cylinder “Twingle”
- Bore & Stroke: 45mm x 78mm
- Carburetor: Puch 32mm
- Ignition: 6V Battery, Coil, Points
- Lubrication: Oil Pump (+Pre-Mix for Break-in)
- Compression Ratio: 6.2:1
- Horsepower: 16HP
- Clutch: Multi-plate in Oil Bath
- Transmission: 4-Speed
- Primary: Duplex Chain Driven
- Starting: Folding Kick Starter
- Brakes: 7” Drum / 7” Drum
- Suspension: Telescopic Fork/ Swingarm, Twin Shocks
- Tires/Wheels: 3.00 x 16 / 3.50 x 16
- Wheelbase: 52 Inches
- Weight: 342 pounds
- Top Speed: 68 MPH
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Mine (68) isn’t quite as nice but has fewer miles. Runs when I kick it! Never been “fixed”. Sweet bike.
A few years ago we needed a pit bike for Davenport. I pulled our 250 twingle off the shelf after 18 years storage, put a 6 volt lantern battery in the box, added some two stroke oil and fuel. After 3 kicks it roared to life and we rode it all weekend at Davenport. Love the little popcorn popper.
Been riding motorcycles for 65 years and bought a brand new Sears Twingle 250, remember it coming In The Box and assembling it and riding it for quite a while , knew it had the puch engine, in was very reliable.
I’m happy to hear that triangle 250is very dependable as I have made arrangements. To purchase a 1968 -250cc myself. I am in need of carb. For my triangle engine if you know where I can purchase one I can be rea ched at turnermontykim@gmail.com
I have a complete bike needs points cleaned. 276-#291 5929 call
How much for the whole bike.
And what year you say it was.
Do you have pictures to put up
A friend took me for rides on his red and cream Allstate 125 back around 1961/62!
In the early 60″s, my brother and I used to go down to Sears and sit on the motorcycles, and pretend we were riding them.
By the time we got motorcycles, we had graduated to Harleys, so we never actually owned an Allstate (Puch).
We did know a guy who rode one down our street to work and back home 6 days a week.
Bought a new 175 (model 810-94160) in 1957, and rode it summer and winter, to and from work and school for four years. One could get a limited license at 14 years old back then, and $5.00 for plate. No insurance needed. I put 14,000 hard, fast miles on it, and thrashed it without mercy. I have owned 14 bikes since then but none more reliable. I would do 200 plus mile road trips on it with no fear of mechanical failure. At 14-15 years old, I sure was glad my folks never found out. Back then you could enter and leave Canada without any extra bother. When I moved up to a Speed Twin at 18, I converted my Puch to an Ice Racer, and raced it for another three years, then gave it away to a friend who raced it some more. What a bike!! Oh yeah, I did shave .200 thou off the head, advance the timing another 8 degrees, raised the transfer ports .06″, pretty much gutted the mufflers, ( took them right off for racing,) and ran Sunoco 260 with Castrol racing oil at 40:1. Living in Detroit, growing up next door to a Pro Hill Climber, these mods had to be done, of course. If they weren’t so darn expensive, I’d like to fix up a Puch for my grand kids, just for old time’s sake.
When I was 15, I went down to the Sears store and saw this beautiful maroon motorcycle. It was a 175cc Allstate(Puch) and was quite heavy. This was 1955 and you could ride a bike in those days at 14 with no special license. I purchased the bike for $250 on sale and I drove that cycle for about 3 years and really enjoyed it. It was not really fast, as the Mustang scooter could run away from it, but it was a comfortable and a beautiful bike. One time, I drove it over 200 miles round trip with no issues. One problem that I did have was it was prone to fouling the spark plugs, so I had to clean them once a week. One morning, I was driving along at about 25 MPH and a guy ran a stop sign and I nailed him in the front door. It was a 49 Packard tank 4 door. I landed on the roof of the car with one of the sharp front brake handles broken off in my right knee and a broken nose. The front wheel of the bike was pushed up under the gas tank. I believe that the cycle protected me from getting seriously hurt as it was very well built with good metal. The bike was totaled and my parents said no bikes, so still miss that old bike. Even today, I would like to take a ride on one of those bikes. Good ole days!
My father use to have a 1961 allstate motorcycle and I would love to find one to buy his was the 250.
Got to 64 250
Got a 1964 250 needs a little bit of tweaking 1,500 bucks for it. Happy New Year!
I have on for sale
985-519-1900
Satılık mı ? Ne kadar?
How much?Is it for sale ?
Hello,punch fans! I have a running puch 250 cc,”twinkle”, and it’s pretty decent .1962 black body ,all there,a beauty.for a barn find.being sold on Bill of Sale.runs. Feels good.tires are flat,looks like a rebuilt card on it,guy gave me a battery,primed the fuel,kicked it twice and she roared to life.would be a very light restoration,if someone wants a great bike..I’m looking for 1,800.00, or best offer.631 361 3333,my home with message machine.today is feb 13th 2018.so very recent ad..give me a call or email
Still have your 250 Puch? I would like to discuss purchasing it!
Thanks.
Paul Fischer
Clive Blake,
Do You still have it?
Where are you located?
Sincerely, Bob Brownell
The Dr. in my E-address is just my Nickname “Dr. Bob” No Doctorate here.
Hay I have a black twingle I believe it is a 63-64 doese not run but everthing is there. turns over and has compresion. Looks good just needs cleaned up.
If some one made me a good offer I could let it go. I have no idea what its worth.
Hi Tim, is your bike still for sale? My number is (480) 886-8738
Jace
Themysteryhunter@yahoo.com
I would like to find a 1961 Allstate motorcycle 250 cc to buy anyone have one for sale.
My Motor is a 1965 250 Allstate Twingle and has been rebuilt front to back inside out I lost the tital years ago and am having a hard time getting a new one I live in Tavares Fl MyPhone# is 910-620-9958
I have one forsale 600 would buy it.
Its rusty it looks to be all there 600 740 503 5343 thanks.
Hello im looking for info on my puch scramble bike yes knobby tires high alloy fenders and mx bars. As i live in australia i dont know if its a different model to usa version. The engine number starts with 1712xxx if that helps.it seems to be all original as this bike still wears its knobbys with no wear hense the speedo has only 495 miles on it.no it is not for sale.it has lodge lf20 spark plugs. Thanks
I have the opportunity to buy one of these. It is in perfect shape. What is the approximate value? It is a 1965
One of our Museum experts says this: “From 600 to 3000 Really depends on condition. And if it’s running, original or modified. If I could see a few close up pics I could give him a better idea.” If you email him some photos at mmederski@nationalmcmuseum.org that would be very helpful for him to give you a truer number.
Can someone advise where I would look for a VIN on this bike? Actually the bike I am looking at is a 1965. Thank you in advance to anyone who replies. If you read this after August 15, 2019 there will be no need to reply.
Can somebody tell me what will they use in the Twingle two-cycle engine that premix that sell what grade what brand or should I use a two-cycle in the tank
I preferred the 175, sweeter engine, better fuel consumption for the performance, not really inferior to the 250, which, admittedly, had a punchier engine, better for heavier loads in hilly terrain (camping in Norway). A German-bought pexiglass windshield, ex-army pannier-bags (in canvas back then) and you could ride that bike to the moon and back and, apart from checking the chain, never need any tools. The plug was a trifle cold, as usual, the factories play it safe, a warmer plug rarely needed cleaning or oiled-up. Most 2T-oil in the gas-stations was 20-30W, ok for lesser 2T’s, mopeds etc, 40-50W ashless 2T was harder to source but much better. I also rode 250 NSU and BMW bikes, they were great, too. The Germans always made good bikes (ok, Puch is Austrian, but so was Hitler!)
I Just purchased a Allstate it has less than 500 miles on the odometer the last year it was registered was in 1966 As far as I know she has spent most of her life laying on the ground outside. The selling point was that it is mostly complete I am really looking forward to this build ( = Motor is seized up but I have shift play and working on getting the cylinders separated at the moment POSTED 2020 JUNE 26TH
Just purchased a New To Me 1965 Puch 250. While I have much to learn currently interested in changing out the stock double seat for a single seat. I’ve seen lots of pics showing the single and I just prefer that look. Anyone know where I can source a seat?
I have one of these that I got in the 70’s. Has run before but I have not touched it in a long time. Will not turn over.
WILL DONATE !
Atlanta, Ga.
If you are actually giving it away, or would like a small amount of money I would come and get he bike, as I had one when I was 16 years old. Jack
Restoration of 65 250cc this summer. Fun to ride
I picked up a 1968 Sears Allstate Foods twinkle 250 when I got it and it did not run for over 30 years I clean the gas tank out I clean the carburetor is she fired right up I am driving it now but I have not changed the oil yet in the motor I’m trying to figure out the bike is still in great shape what’s original paint job can anybody help me figure out how to change the oil in the motor thank you
Hey Allstate fans,
If there is anyone selling a Sears Allstate 250 mc modell please contact me.
I’m searching for one since I’m a child and my granddad told me about his 250mc.
If there’s anyone who can help me get one I can show to my Granddad again and see his eyes sparkling, that would be the best thing in my life.
Greetings from austria 🙂
I have one for sale
985-519-1900
I have one forsale 600 would buy it. 740- 503- 5343
It is said to have one cylinder and two pistons. One piston introducing air/fuel mixture, the other expelling exhaust gasses. There is shown 1 carburetor and 1 spark plug, why are there two exhaust pipes? Is the exhaust port in the head manifolded into the two outlets to give the illusion of a twin? It is also stated that the bore x stroke is 45mm x 78mm = 124.053cc obviously there would need be two of these cylinders to displace the advertised 250 (248) cubic centimeters. Is anyone aware of a more detailed description of this engine’s engineering principals and theory of operation? I would like to better understand “how it works”….Thank you
I never rode what we called a twingle. It was based on a 650 Bonnie or similar. The crank was turned 180 degrees, so that both pistons fired at the same time, all were custom made. A bear to kick over, but unbelievable in a hill climb. Obviously more was done to the motor than just the crank the Valles and points had to fire at the same time. It’s not as easy now to produce a custom motor. I am glad I started riding and building bikes in the 60’s. You had to know how to fix them yourself. Today’s bikes are faster and more reliable, however unless you have a fortune in tools and test equipment, it’s going to the shop. Sort of taking the freedom of riding from you.
This bike is a beauty! Love the unique design and the story behind it. Great addition to the National Motorcycle Museum!
Hola cómo están? Mí nombre es Javier y les escribo desde la patagonia Argentina!! Acabo de comprar una Puch Allstate 175 cc SV de 1957 y estoy en búsqueda de un velocímetro completo. Tengo uno andando de 250 pero es más grande. Y además no se dónde va conectado? Les agradecería si tiene info de esto y donde puedo conseguir el manual!!! Muchas gracias, abrazo grande
We had a house built in Palmdale CA, came up on weekends from L.A. to watch his progress in ’54. My Dad worked for Northrop on it’s F-89 Scorpion All Weather Interceptor.
AF Plant 42 was the jet plane capital of the world from ’54-58. Then Congress decided it didn’t want to fund it anymore . . . For the next 10 years, 3 out of 4 houses had brown lawns. Everyone had packed up everything and moved, leaving the banks with all those foreclosed houses.
My dad found a job in Alamogordo New Mexico, and purchased a 1958 Sears 250 made by Steyr Daimler Puch, to ride back and forth, so my mom could have the car for grocery shopping and us kids.
After a few months, he found a closer job in Mentone, near Redlands CA at Grand Central Rocket Company. We moved to Redlands for my 8th grade year. While there, we took the Puch on the freeway over to Ontario to see the Northrop YB-35 propeller driven flying wing at the airport there. The YB-49 jet models flying wings had been destroyed by our Air Force In the early ’50s.
The trip on the freeway, was bone jarring. The freeway was constructed of discreet concrete formed pads, 12 or 14 ft square. When the concrete set, the edges would curl up an inch or so, giving a rough ride at freeway speeds. Slip form paving, which resulted in a smooth road bed, was another 5+ years away.
Grand Central rocket company was the precursor to the Thiokol company, of the Challenger fame. And explosions happened all too often there, when the rocket motors had too much clearance within their metal casings, as opposed to the o-ring problems on the Challenger.
Luckily my dad got a call from Northrup to be the Tech Rep for the F-89 in Iceland, for the Strategic Air Command. Problem solved ‼️👀
The Puch never really gave any problems. We used straight non-detergent engine oil, and I don’t think we ever changed spark plugs in it.
Enclosed chain, meant that the chain lasted forever, and other than wearing out the “ignition key” (I hand filed one out of a bent 16 penny nail – the original was aluminum) it was extremely reliable. I remember from the specs that it had 15 horsepower and 15 lb feet of torque, which was an amazing amount of torque for a ’58 2 stroke MC. The ’58 had the carb mounted to the back of the engine.
Someone said they were hard to start, I remember starting it with my hand.
Factoid! When it was idling, if you pulled the key out and put it right back in, you could get it to run in reverse . . .
One of the problems you had with two strokes back in those days, was with them loading up, from too much fuel puddling in the crankcase at low RPMs. You had to get off your bike, hold it over on its side, to get the fuel to be carried up into the cylinders to be burned. The Puch never had that problem because it had a full circle crankshaft, and no place for a puddle of fuel to collect.
My Dad got involved with Go-Karts. Duffy Livingston had built one with a Puch 250 mounted between his legs with a loooooong chain back to the drive shaft. One of the parts that I think he ordered directly from Austria, said that it was for use on the 250 & 350 Puch.
I hadn’t, and to this day, still haven’t, heard of a 350 Puch twingle of ’50s or ’60s vintage. Duffy also had a Go-Kart with a Koenig water cooled two stroke hydroplane engine.