Classic & Vintage - THE final addition...56K WARNING!

I have now entered nirvana. You are reading the words of an intensely proud new owner of a 1967 all-chrome Schwinn Paramount P-15 Tourer, serial E7009 (Ninth bike of May, 1967)

EDIT/CORRECTION: 1970 Paramount P-13, ninth bike of May, 1970.

The photos are of how I got it this morning, nothing done to it yet (have since put in an chrome Silca pump and Brooks Professional saddle):

http://www.jaysmarine.com/70_paramount_1.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/70_paramount_2.jpg

Late '60s model with Prugnat lugs
http://www.jaysmarine.com/70_paramount_3.jpg

Second-gen ('68-69) NR rear derailer
http://www.jaysmarine.com/70_paramount_4.jpg

No patent date, indicating the '68-69 NR series
http://www.jaysmarine.com/70_paramount_5.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/70_paramount_6.jpg

Enjoy. More photos to come as it gets transformed back to 100% stock configuration (sharp eyes will note the incorrect post '78 Campagnolo NR brakeset...which is available)

-Kurt

Mmmmmmm.... shiny. Gotta love the chrome!

But loose the computer, ech.

Mmmmmmm.... shiny. Gotta love the chrome!

But loose the computer, ech.

To-Do List:

Computer - gone.
Bar tape - replace (red cotton)
Downtube decals - acquire
Pedals - Campagnolo Superleggeri (did they have them in '67? If not, it's MKS track pedals for it)
Wheelset - swap for period Weinmanns
Rear light - gone
Chrome - polish
Tires - IRC Durowinner IIs, but for the meantime, Verdestine Ricorsos
Brakeset: Weinmann 999s

-Kurt

P.S.: If anyone noticed me as being particularly antsy in the previous week, it's because I'd been worrying about whether I was going to be able to get this machine or not.

Looking good but you should have looked at the Specialized Tarmac or Orbea bikes. They much lighter and better handling...Heheh just kidding. I had to spout some road forum rhetoric. The only thing it needs is the brooks and some fresh contintenal gatorskin tubulars. I am pretty sure you can get good reproduction or NOS brake hoods. Post pics soon when you are finished. That looks nice so far. I have soft spot in my heart for the chromed schwinns.

It needs 10 speed Campy and a carbon fork. :D

You always snag the coolest bikes. Durn you! :D

In all seriousness, congratulations on the find. It is a beautiful bike!

Final addition? What no more bikes for you now? Makes me wonder what you had to do to get that one!

Stunning.


Congrats on a great find! Care to fill us in on the "details" of your new acquisition? :)

Looking good but you should have looked at the Specialized Tarmac or Orbea bikes. They much lighter and better handling...Heheh just kidding. I had to spout some road forum rhetoric. The only thing it needs is the brooks and some fresh contintenal gatorskin tubulars. I am pretty sure you can get good reproduction or NOS brake hoods. Post pics soon when you are finished. That looks nice so far. I have soft spot in my heart for the chromed schwinns.

One of the LBS' that I don't get along with sells Orbea...reason enough not to own one right there ;)

Brooks - check. I won't use anything other then the IRC tires though - the Conti sidewalls don't do it for me (it has reasonably new Super Sports on it now - I think they make the whole package look horrible). I have sources for replacement hoods, but as the original brakeset was Weinmann, that's what will replace the Campagnolo brake levers. Not too much of a loss either, for both levers are nicked badly, one is bent, and they don't match - one is NR, the other Triomphe (figure that out).


It needs 10 speed Campy and a carbon fork. :D

And if you had your way, it would be paired with a brawny road cyclist, arms crossed, standing next to it in a macho pose, right? (I saw that photo of you and the Palo Alto).


Final addition? What no more bikes for you now? Makes me wonder what you had to do to get that one!

That's right, no more - although I might make exceptions to that all-chrome '58/9 Frejus track bike in town. Doubt if I'll ever get that one though, and it's in far worse shape then this Paramount.


You always snag the coolest bikes. Durn you! :D

In all seriousness, congratulations on the find. It is a beautiful bike!

Well, the rest of them are out for your pickings now - I've officially retired from the finders circuit. Thank you for the congrats!


Care to fill us in on the "details" of your new acquisition? :)

It came off of the local C-List.

-Kurt

Beautiful bike! Your date is a little off. It's a 1970 bike (5th bike, May 1970).

http://www.waterfordbikes.com/site/company/para_dating.php

The Prugnat lugs were used in this era ('68-'70) before public pressure forced Schwinn to return to the Nervex.

And is it not a P-13 with the double chainring and NR rear derailleur? This year didn't have the top tube clamp on cable guides and had eyelets. I dunno ...

Bob

Beautiful bike! Your date is a little off. It's a 1970 bike (5th bike, May 1970).

http://www.waterfordbikes.com/site/company/para_dating.php

The Prugnat lugs were used in this era ('68-'70) before public pressure forced Schwinn to return to the Nervex.

And is it not a P-13 with the double chainring and NR rear derailleur? This year didn't have the top tube clamp on cable guides and had eyelets. I dunno ...

Bob

Just checked again - I'm still off - it's the 9th bike of May 1970 - E7009. My brain is still in the clouds with this machine.

WHOOPS! You got me on the model numbering too, it is a P-10. I never bothered to memorize the P designations before now - all I knew for certain was the P-12 (mainly due to my '61). Thanks for the clarification.

Take care,

-Kurt

Actually, I think that is a Huffy that someone put Paramount stickers and counterfeit Campy components on. :p

Great find Kurt!

I am sure you will put it to good use...

Your final bike?

Yeah, RIGHT! I said the same thing when I got mine! :D

Congratulations! It is a beauty!!!

Mmmmmmm.... shiny. Gotta love the chrome!

But loose the computer, ech.

At least the previous owner was still riding it.

I have sources for replacement hoods

Could you share your sources? I'm looking for some currently.

Thanks

Actually, I think that is a Huffy that someone put Paramount stickers and counterfeit Campy components on. :p

Great find Kurt!

I am sure you will put it to good use...

Did you say something about that Corky bike you owned for a short period of time? ;)


Your final bike?

Yeah, RIGHT! I said the same thing when I got mine! :D

We'll see, eh?



At least the previous owner was still riding it.

As a matter of fact, he wasn't. Didn't have time for it/grew out of the messenger culture.


Could you share your sources? I'm looking for some currently.

Thanks

That source is primarily one of the local bike shops. Now and then, a pair of levers will pop up (Campagnolo or otherwise) with a pair of early non-aero Dia-Compe Gran Compe hoods on 'em, or even a pair of Campagnolo levers with good hoods. It's hit-or-miss as to whether I stumble across them or not though.

Take care,

-Kurt

WOW! It's beautiful Kurt. If it looks this great now, imagine how it will look with a smoooooth set of Luxe high flange hubs and Campy SL pedals!!
Great find

WOW! It's beautiful Kurt. If it looks this great now, imagine how it will look with a smoooooth set of Luxe high flange hubs and Campy SL pedals!!
Great find

Indeed, but it'll have to settle for Weinmann Concaves and Normandy hubs until I locate a pair of Campagnolo high-flange hubs (I do have a '63 HF front though). 27" rims would also be ultimately what I would use as well - those aren't easy to find either.

I think you'll all be very pleased with the end result.

P.S.: Took it about for its first ride this afternoon. Couldn't have been better, even with the extremely badly adjusted drivetrain and brakes. It is no doubt, a Paramount.

-Kurt

Very nice!
Schwinns were not very popular where I live (there were none really) so I only get to see them on this board.
Nice indeed.

Great Find and welcome to the Chrome Club!! If it rides like mine, you wil love it!!!!

Kurt,

Stunning! Thanks for the early tip today about your most recent bike. :) You know, this makes you a 2 Paramount man. Very impressive.

Now that Bob Hufford has helped to sort out the date, maybe the Campagnolo brake calipers are correct? I believe I can help you out with pedals, even if we work out some future trade or just consider them a long term loan.

The frame is too tall. :)

Hey Kurt,

Nice bike, but I thought there was one Raleigh from '84 that you were still chasing after still too.

Beautiful bike. I'm not even a Schwinn fan and now I want one :D

Even my 2 year old went, "OOOOOO Pretty biker Daby" when it came up on the screen. She's getting her "d"s and "b"s mixed up.

Hey Kurt,

Nice bike, but I thought there was one Raleigh from '84 that you were still chasing after still too.

That would be the '84 Super Course, of which I finally did get my hands on one (which I will keep). The '86 Grand Prix (green w/purple headtube) is already up for grabs though, and I'm debating on whether I'll part with the '84 Competition (chrome/white).

Take care,

-Kurt

To-Do List:

Computer - gone.
Bar tape - replace (red cotton)
Downtube decals - acquire
Pedals - Campagnolo Superleggeri (did they have them in '67? If not, it's MKS track pedals for it)
Wheelset - swap for period Weinmanns
Rear light - gone
Chrome - polish
Tires - IRC Durowinner IIs, but for the meantime, Verdestine Ricorsos
Brakeset: Weinmann 999s

I'm glad to see this list... very reassuring. Stunning bicycle! Congrats!

I'm glad to see this list... very reassuring. Stunning bicycle! Congrats!

Yep, nothing to worry about - she'll be getting the best of care.

Take care,

-Kurt

P.S.:

The following is up for grabs from it - wouldn't mind trading for some parts I may need for it:

*Look pedals
*Campagnolo post '78 brakeset - one nutted, one recessed, figure that out. Both have drop bolts, and it appears as if someone bored the slots down as far as possible, and did a very clean and quality job of it.
*Mavic SUP wheelset w/Shimano 105 hubs (rear is a Uniglide freehub)
*One beat and bent NR lever
*One beat but not bent Triomphe lever
*Nuovo Gran Sport clamp-on shifter mount minus shifter levers

-Kurt

There is a guy on the Miami Craigs list selling 2 chrome Schwinn frames, 55 bucks

http://miami.craigslist.org/bik/423874227.htm

http://www.jaysmarine.com/Chrome_Varsity_A_1.jpg

Schweet Schwinn.

Campy did produce pedals when YOUR Schwinn was made.

Congratulations,

Gary

There is a guy on the Miami Craigs list selling 2 chrome Schwinn frames, 55 bucks

http://miami.craigslist.org/bik/423874227.htm

http://www.jaysmarine.com/Chrome_Varsity_A_1.jpg

Gee? I wonder who they belong to? Where else have we seen twinn chrome Schwinn ladies Varsities? :rolleyes:

Schweet Schwinn.

Campy did produce pedals when YOUR Schwinn was made.

Congratulations,

Gary

Re: the Superleggero pedals. Silver-cage model is definitely correct; harder to tell about the black-cage ones. I think it depends on how persnickity you want to get - they were definitely out by late '71, so could have been available earlier, but maybe not as early as your bike would have been built up. But it's so close I personally wouldn't sweat it.
Beautiful bike. I recently acquired a chrome '68 with Prugnat lugs that is very similar to yours, if not identical. Mine still has enough original decalage clinging to it that I'm not planning on replacing them, but man, those chrome Paramounts shed decals like nobody's business. Congratulations.

There is a guy on the Miami Craigs list selling 2 chrome Schwinn frames, 55 bucks

Three, to be exact. I listed 'em ;)

Trying to recover from the cost of the Paramount by selling these off.

-Kurt

P.S.: You got the link wrong - its http://miami.craigslist.org/bik/423874227.html

Re: the Superleggero pedals. Silver-cage model is definitely correct; harder to tell about the black-cage ones. I think it depends on how persnickity you want to get - they were definitely out by late '71, so could have been available earlier, but maybe not as early as your bike would have been built up. But it's so close I personally wouldn't sweat it.
Beautiful bike. I recently acquired a chrome '68 with Prugnat lugs that is very similar to yours, if not identical. Mine still has enough original decalage clinging to it that I'm not planning on replacing them, but man, those chrome Paramounts shed decals like nobody's business. Congratulations.

Hmm. I'll debate this for a while. I do have a pair of Superleggeris, but I don't have the standard silver-cage NR pedals, and I'm not sure if I wish to plunk down the extra cash at this moment, so I might have to relegate it to the Superleggeris.

In a way, I'm glad the original decals are gone - I can polish the frame and not have to worry about them, and mount replacement decals on it that won't flake off in the future.

-Kurt

Magnificent. It looks...fresh. As if the years have barely touched it. Chrome plating is amazing stuff.

Hmm. I'll debate this for a while. I do have a pair of Superleggeris, but I don't have the standard silver-cage NR pedals, and I'm not sure if I wish to plunk down the extra cash at this moment, so I might have to relegate it to the Superleggeris.

In a way, I'm glad the original decals are gone - I can polish the frame and not have to worry about them, and mount replacement decals on it that won't flake off in the future.

-Kurt

Just to be clear, there were both silver and black anno Superleggero pedals (aluminum cages). These were produced alongside the "Record" pedals with silver (steel) cages. Technically, there is no such thing as "Nuovo Record" pedals, though of course the "Record" pedals began to be referred to that way. My main point is that you can't distinguish between Superleggero and Record by the color of the cages, as there were silver-cage Superleggeri - which are in fact the pedals I was indicating would definitely be correct for your Paramount. (Record would of course be period correct as well.)

Kurt -

Belated congratulations! I somehow missed this thread (maybe it was the 56k warning).

I can almost guarantee you'll love that chrome Paramount, and that it will displace your previously favorite vintage ride as top dog in your stable.

Just to be clear, there were both silver and black anno Superleggero pedals (aluminum cages). These were produced alongside the "Record" pedals with silver (steel) cages. Technically, there is no such thing as "Nuovo Record" pedals, though of course the "Record" pedals began to be referred to that way. My main point is that you can't distinguish between Superleggero and Record by the color of the cages, as there were silver-cage Superleggeri - which are in fact the pedals I was indicating would definitely be correct for your Paramount. (Record would of course be period correct as well.)

I gotcha - I think. Was the Superleggeri term used to denote the TI-axle versions? If so, I have standard black Record pedals then.

Curious - besides the lettering of "Gran Sport" on the Nuovo GS pedals, is there any difference between them and the Record silver-side pedals? I know of one fellow with a GS set he'll part with for $20 - might be worth it for me to track him down.


Kurt -

Belated congratulations! I somehow missed this thread (maybe it was the 56k warning).

I can almost guarantee you'll love that chrome Paramount, and that it will displace your previously favorite vintage ride as top dog in your stable.

Thank you, Scooper! It's indeed a compliment from a fellow who has owned more Paramounts himself then many of us folks here could ever dream of even seeing in person - plus your '07 Paramount (the Waterford) as well.

I don't believe it will be replacing my previous favorite machine though, for that is currently my '61 Paramount. A Paramount can never replace a Paramount as a favorite - it can only be equal, in my book :D

-Kurt

I gotcha - I think. Was the Superleggeri term used to denote the TI-axle versions? If so, I have standard black Record pedals then.

Curious - besides the lettering of "Gran Sport" on the Nuovo GS pedals, is there any difference between them and the Record silver-side pedals? I know of one fellow with a GS set he'll part with for $20 - might be worth it for me to track him down.
-Kurt

The Ti-axle pedals were Super Record. All Super Record pedals have Ti axles. When you see pedals described as "Super Record" that have steel axles, it's a misnomer because Campagnolo did start replacing the Ti-axle pedals in its Super Record group with Superleggero pedals (the common Super Record "reduced" group, which also had the non-Ti-axled bottom bracket). Your black-cage pedals are Superleggero.

The Campy pedal sequence is, roughly:
Gran Sport (steel cage)
Mid-late-60's "Record" (steel cage - may have just been a name change from Gran Sport)
A bit later (circa 1968) - Superleggero with (silver) aluminum cage
Early 70's - Superleggero with black anno aluminum cage
A bit later - Super Record - Ti axles

I believe the later model Nuovo Gran Sport pedals eliminated the strap loop that the Record pedals had. Other than that I don't know what other differences there may have been (I do know that the Nuovo G.S. pedals had stamped steel races, but that's obviously not a visual difference).

The Ti-axle pedals were Super Record. All Super Record pedals have Ti axles. When you see pedals described as "Super Record" that have steel axles, it's a misnomer because Campagnolo did start replacing the Ti-axle pedals in its Super Record group with Superleggero pedals (the common Super Record "reduced" group, which also had the non-Ti-axled bottom bracket). Your black-cage pedals are Superleggero.

The Campy pedal sequence is, roughly:
Gran Sport (steel cage)
Mid-late-60's "Record" (steel cage - may have just been a name change from Gran Sport)
A bit later (circa 1968) - Superleggero with (silver) aluminum cage
Early 70's - Superleggero with black anno aluminum cage
A bit later - Super Record - Ti axles

I believe the later model Nuovo Gran Sport pedals eliminated the strap loop that the Record pedals had. Other than that I don't know what other differences there may have been (I do know that the Nuovo G.S. pedals had stamped steel races, but that's obviously not a visual difference).

Ok, that makes sense. Forgot that the Nuovo Gran Sports used steel cages instead of aluminum cages. Looks like polished aluminum-caged Campag pedals are what I need, along with some L toe clips and leather clip end protectors (I'm prone to scraping my toe-clips excessively when mounting/starting up - sometimes I slide in a tad slowly).

My Superleggeri pedals have steel axles (wouldn't want to use the crack-prone TI's anyway) - probably mid or late '70s NR pedals. Wouldn't look right on this machine.

Take care,

-Kurt