Hey guys - there's a pretty decent 175 for sale at vintagemx.us. Does anybody know what year this bike might be? I thought that a few of you swung legs over these back in the day. The side panels, conical front hub and sorta-forward shock mounting suggests post-75, but I thought they went to downpipe on the later years.
http://www.vintagemx.us/cgi-bin/largephoto.cgi?C=N2vq12w7vrGJntcw&w=2
When I first started in enduros (yes, on a 72 Yamaha LT100 w/LOTs of Duct tape around the air cleaner), another guy in our group ran a blue 125 PUCH, faster than stink, handled like a dream. But whereas I simply struggled to not hour-out, he struggled to keep it going to the finish.
Happy Holidays!
TooClose
I believe Dwight is the resident Puch guy...maybe he'll chime in.
Steve Minor
Wilmington, NC
Too Close,It looks like the Puch has had an early xl250 honda front end(fork legs and frt.wheel) and shocks installed-not a great choice of suspension-imho.
Ric
ric emmal
Looks like a "73" 175cc MX. I have one just like it, except mine has the chrome "pickle" on the end of the exhaust. Nice bikes, very reasonable parts prices (Motors West, WI) Doug Wilford and Dwight both speak Puch!;) Leroy Winters rode a Puch in the Six Days.
I checked it out again and it may possibly be later than "73" but it looks darn close to my "73"[?] Happy Holidays
72-73 model.
Thanks for the replies, gentlemen.
Interesting...I guess I would agree with Kip that it is a 73-ish looking bike and I agree with Ric that the front end (and shocks?) are not original. the upper shock mount still looks funny, but lord knows we all played with shock locations back in the day. My 74 YZ125 will never forgive me...
I went to an official "Six Day" history site that has kind of a Puch history pictorial - I'm sure you guys have seen this link:
http://www.six-days.org/pages/archivio_it/archit/it_a/puc_it/puc_ph/57.html
If you thumb forward, you can see that PUCH did adopt a conical hub later on (at least they are on the 74 and later Six Day entries), but I can't tell right off hand if this is the same one. I'll go with Ric's theory.
BTW - do those GS 75s look like a hoot, or what? Anyway...
Anyway...that just leaves the side panels as looking very non-original vs. the PUCH "wrap" or "pouch".
Oh well...it actually looks like a pretty-well sorted CC/trail mount, with its Gasser throttle and updated levers, the exception possibly being that XL-250 handling. ;)
Front wheel is XL/MT250 as are forks as mentioned. Top shock mount is supposed to be that tab just in front of seat bolt. This bike has had it lowered onto downtube and moved forward. Probably could not run in vintage class unless shocks have less travel.
For sure a 72/3 type (the good one), the later ones had down pipes and the tapered fuel tanks with ape hangers(parts bikes when produced, read junk).
Quote: Thomas Jefferson, We are all born ignorant, some work to remain that way.
Quote:Peter Villacaro, "it is impossible to teach those that wish not to be taught".
No question that is a Honda XL250 front hub and forks.
Brian
'72 Berkshire
The very first Puch dirt bike I ever remember seeing was at the first Blackwater 100 and I believe the rider leading when the loop came back into the outskirts of town(it was muddy...)The rider was ripping and I recall none of my friends knew how to pronounce the name or what it was.
Quotequote:Originally posted by Mark P
The very first Puch dirt bike I ever remember seeing was at the first Blackwater 100 and I believe the rider leading when the loop came back into the outskirts of town(it was muddy...)The rider was ripping and I recall none of my friends knew how to pronounce the name or what it was.
Now what year would THAT be, and - given the Legends that watch this board, WHO might that have been? Not just anyone can lead the Blackwater...[^]
You know if you ride a Puch....
eventually they puke....
then you have to poosh.....
The very first Puch dirt bike I ever remember seeing was at the first Blackwater 100 and I believe the rider leading when the loop came back into the outskirts of town(it was muddy...)The rider was ripping and I recall none of my friends knew how to pronounce the name or what it was.
Quotequote:Originally posted by Mark P
The very first Puch dirt bike I ever remember seeing was at the first Blackwater 100 and I believe the rider leading when the loop came back into the outskirts of town(it was muddy...)The rider was ripping and I recall none of my friends knew how to pronounce the name or what it was.
Now what year would THAT be, and - given the Legends that watch this board, WHO might that have been? Not just anyone can lead the Blackwater...[^]
You know if you ride a Puch....
eventually they puke....
then you have to poosh.....
South rider, How are you doing? Is the leg mended well enough to pooosh? A Puch? Thats puked? Merry Christmas Clark
Hank Rinehart
hello, a few yrs ago i was lucky enough to win ahrma championship on a 1974 puch 50+ the next yr a friend of mine rode it he won the sportsman class with it.we never had one problem with it, they are a little down on top end power but it the woods they handle very well
dennis l.brown
I raced a Puch 125 in district 37 desert races back in the early 70's for a couple seasons. It wasn't real fast but it always ran. The only DNF I ever had on that bike was from a real hard crash that broke the rider. The Puch still ran.
Bill Friant held the number 1 plate in district 37 desert for at least 0ne season on a 175 Puch.
Doug Bridges
73 Jackpiner
74 Jackpiner/FrankenPenton project
Don't forget that Jeff Wright won a few on his as well. Just remember that it was Tommy Brooks on his DKW 125 that put those Puchs in their place. FYI, I raced a DKW 100 back then.
Quotequote:Originally posted by Doug Bridges
I raced a Puch 125 in district 37 desert races back in the early 70's for a couple seasons. It wasn't real fast but it always ran. The only DNF I ever had on that bike was from a real hard crash that broke the rider. The Puch still ran.
Bill Friant held the number 1 plate in district 37 desert for at least 0ne season on a 175 Puch.
Doug Bridges
73 Jackpiner
74 Jackpiner/FrankenPenton project
Speaking of Puch, where can I get a nice repop carb shroud for my "73" 175 MX'r?
Kip,
Try eBay item # 270501531905 for the carb shroud.
Dave McC
Dave
I was looking for the Naugahyde cover for the entire carb and airbox. Thanks though.
Thats a pretty cool bike!... did you go for it? I have seen that guy in Atalla, Al. ("Atallicia" locals say lol) post ads before.. he must have a ton of vintage iron...
Quotequote:Originally posted by kip kern
Speaking of Puch, where can I get a nice repop carb shroud for my "73" 175 MX'r?
I will see if the guy that made mine still has the pattern or is in business. Haven't seen him around for about a year though.
Thanks Dwight!
Kip,
Send me an email with your phone #.
Thanks
Kip, I have made maybe a dozen of these covers for folks can't remember who I made them for but still have the patterns for the earier up to 74 and the later 74 and up splash aprons. The only problem with the earlier apron is the heat shield was an ab pad that is hard to find a substitute for. The old splash covers' pad can sometimes be salvaged and/or the covers can be made without. I sold Mike the yellow 125 bike with a new cover several years ago at York. He called me to see if I still do them. I can get more vinyl and will fire up my old kenmore machine, let me know by e-mail if you still need one.
GC
Hank,
Thanks - I am recovering nicely from a shattered hip sustained in August while practicing on my KTM 200. It's been a long haul, but I am walking again and getting stronger every day.
I don't want to hijack this thread - but I will give more details in the "rider down" thread from last August in the next day or so.
Clark
1979 SERA Louisiana State Champ
Quotequote:Originally posted by Merlin
For sure a 72/3 type (the good one), the later ones had down pipes and the tapered fuel tanks with ape hangers(parts bikes when produced, read junk).
Why do you say the down pipe bikes are junk? I have 2 73/74 Puch 175's and I am restoring a low pipe 125 at the moment.
Make sure you post pic(s) when you're done, Desmond197. I have a soft spot for these woods weapons. [:p]
Quotequote:Originally posted by kip kern
Thanks Dwight!
KIP, As it would have it, I saw Bob Moran (Maker)today. He said he would do it for $150 and it will be with heat shield and all. Just like the 1971-73 airbox covers. The 1974 low pipe cover was different. It will take approx a month for him to make you one. Let me know if I need to get him to go ahead.
Dwight
Quotequote:Originally posted by hrbay
Kip, I have made maybe a dozen of these covers for folks can't remember who I made them for but still have the patterns for the earier up to 74 and the later 74 and up splash aprons. The only problem with the earlier apron is the heat shield was an ab pad that is hard to find a substitute for. The old splash covers' pad can sometimes be salvaged and/or the covers can be made without. I sold Mike the yellow 125 bike with a new cover several years ago at York. He called me to see if I still do them. I can get more vinyl and will fire up my old kenmore machine, let me know by e-mail if you still need one.
Here is a pic of the 73 PUCH 125 i got from George a few years ago,
the quality and workmanship of the cover is as "OE"
hope this helps !!
(http://i567.photobucket.com/albums/ss114/checkcrew/73PuchGS125007.jpg)
regards,
GC
Mike Gallagher, NJ.
I came across this photo of myself back in the day (1973) in action during a district 37 Hare & Hound on my 125 Puch. I had some great memories on this bike. I rember that when we purchased this bike I originally wanted to get a Penton Jackpiner. Since there was not a dealer near us and the Puch cost less than the Penton and My dear old Dad was my sponser I was happy to get the Puch. I finally have the 73 Jackpiner that I always wanted!(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy247/drbridge/125Puch1973District37.jpg)
Doug Bridges
73 Jackpiner
74 Jackpiner/FrankenPenton project
I never rode any of the Puchs. How were they relative to the Pentons in terms of performance and reliability?
Back in the day there was a young man that went to the races with me who had a puch 125, I think it was either a 73 or 74 He was a great little rider and struggled to finish as well as he wanted to, He ended up with the puch because it was what he could afford. still he liked the bike and it seemed to run for ever. I always thought it woud be cool to have one of these little beauty's in my collection. Glad to see intrest in these bikes, I always thought they were alot better bikes than was often given credit for. I do know where there is a puch motor, not much of a start... do I pick it up or leave it to someone who has the cash and inclination to build it....
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
I have a frame, swingarm,forks, and triples...and maybe a few more things..
The motor is sitting at a place called Bent Bike. It is sitting on a shelf inside the store. no one seems to be all that interested in it...
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
OK Thom, now you have me going. Is it a 125 or 175 motor? What year? I am not that far from Bent bike. My 125 was very reliable and never let me down, includeing a 170 mile version of Barstow to Vegas race. Then when I switched to MX I realised how under powered the Puch was for it's time. About that time the 125 Elsinore came out and I was the first one on the block to get one. I cleaned house at the local tracks for a while and then others caught on to the new Honda bikes and the rest is history. The 175 Puch was a lot more powerful and competative in cross country and the more I think about it the more I would like to have one.
Doug Bridges
73 Jackpiner
74 Jackpiner/FrankenPenton project
as i had said i rode a 175 puch for a year,the next year rick lillie rode it and won the sportsman class on it. we tore it down knowing it would need every thing, it barely needed a set of rings, bottom end everything was in good shape.we did not think the clutch would hold up it is very small and is fixed right on the crankshaft.but we never had a problem.they are very underrated. they did not have the dealerships nor the very good riders like husky and penton had in the 70s. i rode on the same number with doug wilford and i think his name was moran at the litte burr enduro they both did well,i was on penton 175 they on 175 puchs
dennis l.brown
Quotequote:Originally posted by Doug Bridges
OK Thom, now you have me going. Is it a 125 or 175 motor? What year? I am not that far from Bent bike. My 125 was very reliable and never let me down, includeing a 170 mile version of Barstow to Vegas race. Then when I switched to MX I realised how under powered the Puch was for it's time. About that time the 125 Elsinore came out and I was the first one on the block to get one. I cleaned house at the local tracks for a while and then others caught on to the new Honda bikes and the rest is history. The 175 Puch was a lot more powerful and competative in cross country and the more I think about it the more I would like to have one.
Doug Bridges
73 Jackpiner
74 Jackpiner/FrankenPenton project
Doug, hi,
i don't know your location but there is a 73 Puch 175 on Craigslist Ohio {Akron-Canton} Warren, Oh. for $1000,
he shows a pic of the one that just sold on Ebay and states his is in origional cond and $500 cheaper,
hope this helps,
regards,
Mike Gallagher, NJ.
I tried to have that fellow on Craigslist send photos for 2 weeks but he said he had no room to take photos. Guess he doesn't want to sell that badly. He thought I should drive 4 hours round trip just to look.
Ted
I have found that sometimes sellers that won't take the trouble to send pics, or won't answer specific questions generally have something to hide about what they are selling. Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
I have driven hours to look at machines on Craigslist with no photos and driven away pleasantly surprised as well. It is funny how some people won't discuss a machine with you or even pick up the phone and call.
1973 Penton Jackpiner
1982 Yamaha XT200
1982 Yamaha XJ650J Maxim
1987 Yamaha YZ490
2005 Honda CRF450R
I have too, but then you get the occasional "yeah it ran when we parked it", and just failed to tell you they parked it over a year ago in a fallen down makeshift lean to and the crankcase has been full of water for a year now, but it turns over,... well I thought it did before you got here. Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
The "Moran" guy was likely Bren Moran. He was a very good rider and did a couple of Six Days. He was killed at the 1975 Isle of Man ISDT when he wrecked on an old railroad bed. I believe one of the Vinduro guys has Bren's ex-1974 ISDT Puch.
Jeff DeBell
thanks jeff! it was a few years ago,i have2 pics.taken by my mom at noon layover she and my wife and dad were the pit crews the 3 of us. if i recall he had longer blonde hair,very nice guy
dennis l.brown
Hello, If anyone is seriously interested in that PUCH in the Akron area, I live within maybe 90 minutes, and my brother lives within maybe 20 minutes. I assume there are PUCH enthusiasts which are as interested in these bikes as we are in Pentons. We might be able to do a pickup for you, and delivery to Mid-Ohio or other location. joe
Anybody know how to get ahold of Kip Kern? I'm going to sell my 1973 Puch factory sixday bike and wanted to chat with him about a potential buyer. It certainly isn't cheap but it is a true one off bike that raced at Dalton in 1973 ISDT.
Keith