Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1540851
If you wanted a Harry Everts Replica, you were on your own with impor ng and shipping. We're told fewer than 10 were shipped here, and fewer than five are s ll in existence. Pricing was also quite steep at over $3,000 (approx. $13,600 in today's dollars). With materials and labor involved, Puch lost a fair amount of money on each bike sold. Like many of our vintage features, this one has a pre y interes ng back story, and I'll do my best to share it with you. As men oned above, this Twin Carb belonged to my old buddy Howie. It had been on display in his living room for liter- ally decades. Sadly, Howie's no longer with us to tell the whole story, but I do remember a few important details. From what I understand, this par cular bike was purchased new by the Presi- dent of Saab North America, a gentleman by the name of Sinclair. A few years later, Sinclair sold the Puch to Jim Blair, brother of Exorcist fame Linda Blair. During the mid to late 70s, Jim Blair had a trackside business selling moto parts and gear in the New England area. Howie purchased the bike from Blair some me during the 80s. In recent years, Howie's Puch MC250 has been a center- piece of our collec on. Yes, looking at it is a treat, but in keeping with Howie's family wishes of keeping his mem- ory alive through his toys, we've decided we've looked at it long enough. With Zoar 2025 on the roster, we decided to wake it up and see what the hype was about firsthand with a proper test ride. Fortunately, the bike had always been stored inside, tucked away in a heated home. Corrosion wasn't a con- cern, and occasionally, it received a shot of 2-stroke oil down the spark plug hole. Compression was strong, and the igni on delivered a big, fat, blue spark. The seat was pulled, and the long, deteriorated foam air filter was re- placed with a new Twin Air unit from a vintage Husky that fit the filter cage well. Both Bing 84 carbs were cleaned in an ultrasonic tank, the petcock was cleaned, and the fuel lines were replaced. Waking up a long-dormant ride is always fun, especially one that's been si ng for a good part of the last 40 years. With a fresh dose of Golden Spectro mixed 40:1 and Su- noco C12 race fuel, the mighty Puch lit off instantly. Once brought up to proper opera ng temperature, we gave it a good rip around the property. 44 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com