Classic & Vintage - mid 80's Schwinn Paramount?

so my dad has a kind of old schwinn paramount "collecting dust in his basement" (his exact words). he claims that it is one of the best bikes ever built (and from what i've heard i don't necessarily disagree). 62cm american made steel frame (he's a tall guy) with campy super record componentry. matrix wheels. he says it's in good shape.

my question is this - how much do you think i might get for it on ebay? believe me, if i fit the thing i would ride it myself, or maybe at least convert it into a fixie (which i might still do for him, as i've attempted to convince him of the wonders of riding fixed...but i think at this point, getting him on a bike *at all* would be a challenge, as it's probably been almost 10 years since he's riden the scwhinn). at the moment, i'm trying to gather up some money to buy a new racing bike, and he said he'd be willing to give me the schwinn to sell.

thanks and happy riding!

Well without seeing it in person or at least pics of it, and if it has no rust no dents, major scratches, components, and frame in cleanable, polishable, and good working order, I would say a as is price of $100.
Now if you were to overhaul it, clean and polish it up, and the paint is in great shape, along with the components, and you replaced all cables, housing, tires, tubes, and bar tape, then you are talking much more. At that point the collector value steps in.This is undeterminable, but IF I was looking I would pay at a max of say $400.

If I couldn't get $1,000.00 for that bike, I wouldn't sell it at all. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you will get for it.

If I couldn't get $1,000.00 for that bike, I wouldn't sell it at all. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you will get for it.

thanks for the encouragement. would that include me having to do an overhaul? (i assume so...) i'm pretty sure my dad has kept the bike in really good condition, but i'm almost positive that at the very least it needs new tires.

Without knowing what model, I would say if the tires are original, keep them. Maybe get new ones too. Paramounts are the most collectible Schwinn, and some argue that they are among the best bikes ever made. Lucky you!

thanks for the encouragement. would that include me having to do an overhaul? (i assume so...) i'm pretty sure my dad has kept the bike in really good condition, but i'm almost positive that at the very least it needs new tires.

If I were you, I'd give it a spit shine, set the seatpost at the maximum extension mark, push the saddle all the way back in the seatpost and level with the toptube,, set the handlebar stem at the maximum ext. mark, set the handlebar drops so they point at the rear brake bridge, put the chain on the big chainring in front/smallest cog in back, set the crank arms in line with the seattube, and take quality photogs of the bike from the deraileur side, the front headtube/top tube/downtube, the drivertrain, a rear shot, all as close as possible for detail, then post them. Most collectors or enthusiasts who buy this bike will rebuild it anyway.

Most collectors or enthusiasts who buy this bike will rebuild it anyway.

that's what i figured. you think i should post the pics here, is that what you mean? thanks for the photography tips!

that's what i figured. you think i should post the pics here, is that what you mean? thanks for the photography tips!

Sure, why not. I'd like to see it. And new handlebar tape. This bike is nicely presented for sale:

A clean vintage Paramount is worth quite a bit. They are great bikes and highly sought-after.

Hunter is low-balling you. The bike you're describing is cool and collectable...I wouldn't do much of anything to it except make it presentable. Most collectors want a bike like this in as-is original condition, and therefore you shouldn't mess with it except to clean it up. It's also worth waiting for the right buyer; so don't rush the sale, either...

Paramount framesets from the mid-80's generally sell for $300 +/- $50 on eBay if in good shape. Earlier Paramounts with chromed lugs go for about twice that much. Full Super Record group doesn't add as much as it should. You can probably double the above numbers. However, if the hubs and skewers are also SR, then the price goes up a bit more. But you will be lucky to get anything near $1,000. And 62cm will lower the interest a bit. If the SR group is is in good shape you can part it out and sell as a group or individually on eBay. You can try listing on some of the free websites first (Campyonly.com, etc.) and see what happens. But eBay is probably the best choice. Has the largest number of interested buyers. And your father is correct. It is a terrific bike. Just not the "fancy" stuff folks are going for today.

Hunter is low-balling you. The bike you're describing is cool and collectable...I wouldn't do much of anything to it except make it presentable. Most collectors want a bike like this in as-is original condition, and therefore you shouldn't mess with it except to clean it up. It's also worth waiting for the right buyer; so don't rush the sale, either...

Of course. Like my post said, "without seeing it........"

Is the bike still available ? I would be interested.

Henry

Japanese Paramounts often go for $300+... don't be surprised if an American one in excellent condition fetches $800+

The 62cm size will hurt the value you though... not many people are that tall!

In 10 years you will be kicking yourself if you sell it! Don't do it. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Save it for your own kid, maybe he will be tall.

But, if you do decide to sell it, watch eBay for a few weeks and see what they go for. You'll get an idea of their 'real-world' value. Also, if you wait until March you will get more money when the "fever" strikes us all in the bicycle riding world.

flip it over and find the seral number stamped on the bottom bracket.....then email waterford and they can tell you all about it. if there is no number...its a japan bike

Better yet, go to the Waterford Bikes website and click on "Velorotica" and read the history of the Paramount and see how to read the serial number. Will tell you which month and year it was made and the number it was made that month. And a couple of other things. A 'W' means it was made in the Waterford plant. I've forgotten the letter code for the months, but you will see. A 119 means the 119th bike made that month. An 87 means that it was made in 1987 (which is when mine was made). Too bad it doesn't fit you. They are great bikes. Have Fun!!

Hi..I have several mid'80's P'mounts and the are in the neighborhood of $500-$1000 depending on condition and all original components. The market has been down on P'mounts in the last few years for some reason..I've got several for sale and am not sure where to go to sell them..Ebay sucks..buyers only want to steal your stuff..not pay anywhere near collectors value...Let me know how you come out with your dad's bike..You might keep it as a nice memory of your Dad's riding days. Suncoast7