Classic & Vintage - Schwinn Paramount, what do do?

Greetings,

I thought I would update on my trash find from a month ago. I found this Schwinn Paramount on the curb as I was walking my dog. So far I have $60 in the bike, had to replace tires and tubes. The rest was elbow grease, clean and lube, straighten bent front brake, true rear wheel. So far I’ve put about two hundred miles on the bike and I do find it a tad heavy and a little more difficult on climbs then my modern road bikes but it also seems to be the cushiest riding.

The group is a strange mix from the early 80’s consisting of Shimano, Suntour and Modolo.

Now I’m mulling over three options.
1) Ride as is
2) Have refinished at Waterford and leave parts mostly as is.
3) Have refinished at Waterford. I have a lead on a 90’s Campy Record full groupo that I could put on it.

This isn’t my main bike so I just plan on riding occasionally and enjoying. What do you guys think the best option is for this bike?

Thanks,

Tracy

Option 3. Or maybe Option 4..... :D

If it were mine (and I had the cash), I'd get it refinished and decaled for sure, then I'd either strive to put a complete, correct group on it or go with modern 10 speed Campy.

If you put a modern drive train on there, you might not ride your new bike as much. Just a thought..... :)

A free Paramount?! That's fantasy land material around here. Congratulations! I'd probably have it repainted and decaled if I had the money for that, and then try to make it period-correct. But that's just my preference.

My opinion: +1 to lamplight. You already have a modern bike, so make this one a period correct restoration. I also think you are safe in terms of regaining any monies spent. Given your initial costs, I think you'd be able to ebay it for more than it will cost to restore should the need ever arise.

Wow, I never find Paramounts in the trash, and I look too!

Any idea what year it is? I would opt for the waterford treatment, then I would spend a long time thinking about what color I would like it to be and what era decals to put on it.

Will waterford do any color/era or just original? Would they dress up a 70s-80s as a early 60s, say coppertone w/pinstriping & the earlier decals?

+ many on period correct restore. Is the paint and chrome bad enough to merit a refinish? Maybe a touch up would do? and new decals?

Definitely go period correct!

From your picture the paint doesn't look that bad. I would just ride it. If you don't like riding it, sell it as is.

Screw period correct...Get it powder coated and pimped out with a mix of components that work with your riding style. Ride the hell, out of it. You will spend a lot of money for a period correct paint/decal job. The components could be sourced patiently with time. Have a pro align the fork unless you have the tools and know how. How bad is the original paint?

I would convert it to fixed. Maybe get it painted as well. Otherwise, put all Nuovo Record on it.

em

If the finish is okay, leave it alone and go with period-correct parts. Waterford, while doing an excellent job, will spank you far beyond $60. If you are up for it, it'll cost you between $400 and $650, at least, to refinish the frame (I did one last year). Period-correct will be more fun to ride, will provide you lots of insight into what is really better today, and will make resale much better someday if you decide to sell it.

Sell the frame and fork on eBay with a BIN of 600$USD and put some of that money towards a new set of tires or a nice new saddle. Take your wife/husband/significant-other out for dinner with the leftover money.