Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1978 Schwinn Paramount

Just picked up a 26 inch 1978 Schwinn Paramount. As it is sitting, it doesn't look to good. There's a pretty thick layer of grime over it, and various scratches from being moved around in the garage. There is very slight rust, but overall, everything's in fine condition. There are scratches on the decals. Everything as far as I know is original. I have the original paperwork, including the order form.

Please tell me more about the bike, as well as possible value. Thank you.

http://img854.imageshack.us/i/img1142l.jpg/
http://img193.imageshack.us/i/img1159rv.jpg/
http://img27.imageshack.us/i/img1158x.jpg/
http://img864.imageshack.us/i/img1157mny.jpg/
http://img861.imageshack.us/i/img1156y.jpg/
http://img687.imageshack.us/i/img1155cl.jpg/
http://img84.imageshack.us/i/img1153t.jpg/
http://img695.imageshack.us/i/img1149v.jpg/
http://img834.imageshack.us/i/img1148s.jpg/
http://img543.imageshack.us/i/img1147i.jpg/
http://img696.imageshack.us/i/img1146x.jpg/
http://img823.imageshack.us/i/img1145zl.jpg/
http://img26.imageshack.us/i/img1144k.jpg/
http://img30.imageshack.us/i/img1143x.jpg/
http://img839.imageshack.us/i/img1139zb.jpg/
http://img717.imageshack.us/i/img1133at.jpg/
http://img830.imageshack.us/i/img1132y.jpg/

Okay, I did some researching. Apparently, it's a P15-9 touring Paramount: http://www.velobration.com/sldatabook/detail7579.html

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/3874/img1142l.jpg http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7880/img1159rv.jpg http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8805/img1158x.jpg http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/7376/img1157mny.jpg http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/6479/img1156y.jpg http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7551/img1155cl.jpg http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2471/img1153t.jpg http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/3402/img1149v.jpg http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/7973/img1148s.jpg http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/9315/img1147i.jpg

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1559/img1146x.jpg http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/9823/img1145zl.jpg http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/1955/img1144k.jpg http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7504/img1143x.jpg http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/229/img1139zb.jpg http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/9606/img1133at.jpg http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/6042/img1132y.jpg

thanks tulgrul. i should really learn how to do that...

They're very nice bikes. I have a 24" chrome 1972 P15-9 and love it. It was/is in "like new" showroom condition, and I bought it from the original owner for $1300 about five years ago. Here's the 1978 P15-9 catalog page:

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1971_1980/1978x08.jpg

Jeez, that chrome paramount is stunning. Well worth the 1300 investment. Makes me want to get a chrome anything.
Would anyone be able to assess the value of my Paramount? I will be cleaning it up a bit and getting it into riding condition, and hopefully flip it in order to fund a few textbooks I desperately need. Will the large size make it anymore difficult to sell? Also, is the handle bar bag of any value? Thanks everyone.

Yes, extra large size will make it much harder to sell, and lower the price. Need pics once you cleaned it up, current condition will depress value somewhat. Nice find.

Scooper, was the Letour RD original? I have a bike with a similar model and it is very nice. I was told that it was the precursor to Dura Ace.

Bike is a nice find and with some TLC will make a very nice ride for a taller person.

thanks for the response, guys. i'll soap/wd-40 it up tonight.

Nice find! It should clean up nicely. I would think the bike would bring $500 - $750 fairly easily.

The rear derailleur is the original spec.

http://www.schwinnbikeforum.com/SLDB/Details/dtail_7579.htm#1978paramountt

I'd be interested in the handlebar bag if you are willing to separate it from the bike. It's so ugly I kinda like it. PM me ... :)

Bob

Ahh, I don't think I have PM yet. I'll PM you once I reach 50 posts :)

Ahh, I don't think I have PM yet. I'll PM you once I reach 50 posts :)Email works:

bhufford3@mchsi.com

Thanks,

Bob

thanks for the response, guys. i'll soap/wd-40 it up tonight.

Don't WD-40. I assume you mean for the rust, there are a lot of threads on rust removal, try searching for some of them.

Oxalic Acid is a popular method, I like aluminum foil.

edit: wd40 can work for rust but isn't good for moving parts,

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6123/dsc03824u.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/dsc03824u.jpg/)
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/3161/dsc03825c.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/dsc03825c.jpg/)
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5251/dsc03826ex.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/dsc03826ex.jpg/)
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5318/dsc03827bj.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/dsc03827bj.jpg/)
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7342/dsc03828o.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/189/dsc03828o.jpg/)
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/9416/dsc03829u.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/718/dsc03829u.jpg/)
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8532/dsc03830a.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/231/dsc03830a.jpg/)
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9917/dsc03831x.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/dsc03831x.jpg/)
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7581/dsc03832ux.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/dsc03832ux.jpg/)
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1379/dsc03833dn.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/202/dsc03833dn.jpg/)

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5104/dsc03834i.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/195/dsc03834i.jpg/)
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8690/dsc03835s.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/88/dsc03835s.jpg/)
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/1778/dsc03836ik.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69/dsc03836ik.jpg/)
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/9049/dsc03837db.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/846/dsc03837db.jpg/)
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1310/dsc03838p.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/8/dsc03838p.jpg/)
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2828/dsc03839z.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/dsc03839z.jpg/)
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/7794/dsc03840x.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/708/dsc03840x.jpg/)
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3503/dsc03841dr.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/dsc03841dr.jpg/)
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/9904/dsc03842m.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/dsc03842m.jpg/)
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/8391/dsc03843uq.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/dsc03843uq.jpg/)

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/4228/dsc03844d.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/534/dsc03844d.jpg/)
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5297/dsc03845h.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/dsc03845h.jpg/)
http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/7849/dsc03846i.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/851/dsc03846i.jpg/)
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/4864/dsc03847a.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/827/dsc03847a.jpg/)
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7279/dsc03849s.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/dsc03849s.jpg/)
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6840/dsc03796db.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/263/dsc03796db.jpg/)
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/2466/dsc03792ll.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/33/dsc03792ll.jpg/)
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1069/dsc03779j.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/696/dsc03779j.jpg/)
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/7095/dsc03787h.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/38/dsc03787h.jpg/)
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/771/dsc03790yn.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/51/dsc03790yn.jpg/)

some pictures of the bike cleaned up. the later pictures depict the paint damage. a kick stand caused the damage on the chain stay, but not severe enough to severely bend the tubes -- just paint damage and a slight depression.

I have all the manuals and the receipt that originally came with the bike. The paint is "silver mist", and it has custom brazed on water bottle fittings from factory.

How much should I expect to get for this bike? I appreciate all the help, thanks.

I would venture to say maybe $500. Large size is a negative. Later year than the highest value vintage Paramounts, but still desirable. No chrome and it is a bit rough with a fair amount of paint damage and some rust.