big chainring 

You can be out of pocket $500 by buying piecemeal or you could find another bike with parts that would work for you. Swap the parts you need, sell the parts you don't and maybe end up money ahead.

Bandera

Even my parts box isn't deep enough for that task, stupid big $$$ for most folk.
Whoever installed that kickstand should be kicked around the block, botched chainstays = Pass.

-Bandera

TranceLov3

The frame looks great.

1957belair

I purchased this Paramount last summer. Have all the parts to restore it. Waiting on the tires and next week will tear it down to restore it.

1957belair

I purchased this Paramount for $300 on CL last summer. I have found out that it is a 15P. I just got the 36t chainring for it. I saw a photo of this bike last week when I was looking for the chainring on this forum. I also have the correct Campagnolo handlebars and neck, Campagnolo long Rally derarailluer. Vintage Weinmann drilled brake handles. I have a vintage Brooks Professional saddle but I picked up a sella buffalo suede saddle that looks like a cenilli that you could get for the Paramount at that time. A couple of things mentioned in previous listings, one that the chainrings were not correct the chainrings are correct they are 52t, 42t, and 36t that was another option you could get. The brake cable stays are also correct for the 10P and the 15P the clamp on ones are used on the professional road racing Paramounts. It was also mentioned that it looked like the head set assembly was rusted. It is in great condition. In the old photos you can see the bike and head set are very dirty. The bike was just as dirty when I purchase it as on the photos. The guy did not even clean the bike before he listed it. I have about $650 in the bike.

Kactus

Please post some photos 1957belair.

Scooper

Welcome to BikeForums.

Do you have photos you can post?

1957belair

The only photos of the bike is when I brought it home. I do have photos of the parts.

1957belair

This was my first bike that I have had in about 20 years. I thought I would take my time with it and find the parts first. Since I got this one I have picked up a few more Schwinns. I found a 73 World Voyageur Kool Orange, a pair of 73 Super Sports Sunset Orange his and hers. For my wife and me. I picked up 2 Manta Rays for my younger son. He loves the vintage Schwinns. I found a Super Le Tour for my older son. The other day I a 53 Schwinn Phantom. I am going to fix it up but leave the original paint.
I payed $150 for the gray Manta Ray, $225 for the pair of Super Sports the photo when I was working on them. Then I payed $175 for the World Voyageur the photo was the day I brought it home.

Scooper

Well, congratulations on a very nice collection. You'll find lots of Schwinn love here on the Classic & Vintage forum.

1957belair

Thanks.
The Green Manta Ray with disk brake the day we brought it home. We are working on it this weekend. We finally got all the parts. The rear tire was hard to find. The 53 Phantom has a locking fork assembly and a front drum brake. I have picked up an original tank and headlight assemblies for it and new white wall tires. We are going to do it the weekend after next. Next weekend is time for the Paramount. I payed $50 for the Phantom and $200 for the green Manta Ray.
I think this is just the start. I tried to post photos of the green Manta Ray and Phantom but they won't load.

oddjob2

I want to see the 1957 Bel Air!!

miamijim

My experience with prices varies slightly....

Chain ring: Lots of them available: $30 (I have at least one in my parts box)
Inner chain ring bolt set: Upwards of $100 but maybe as low as $75 These are exceptionally rare.
Brake levers: $20 They're just generis Dia Compe's

1957belair

I found out that the Campagnolo chainrings you see on ebay will not fit the older models. The 36t is the hardest of the older ones to find. There is one 36t on eBay that will fit but it $200. I have found a 36t that will fit my setup.
I picked up a 73 Schwinn Sports Tourer Kool Lemon. Needs a lot of work. It's missing the rear wheel but the rest is all there including the original Books Professionalseat with copper rivets.i just got it this morning on CL for $30. I tried to add photos. Am I limited on the photos that I can put on here?
There must have been a lot of Schwinns made in 73 it seems I find a lot from 73.

Metacortex

While the Brooks Professional is considered to be a nicer (and more expensive, especially with the copper rivets) saddle, the '74 and earlier Super Sport and Sports Tourer came from the factory with a Brooks B15 Champion Standard. Those had standard steel rivets. They are fairly easy to find on eBay and you can see some examples here: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...15-saddle.html

While those saddles are plentiful unfortunately an original rear wheel can be difficult to find since the hub and freewheel were unique to the Sports Tourer during that time. In other words the only ways to find those parts are either as NOS unused spares or take-offs from another Sports Tourer. If you want more details on the Sports Tourer I'd recommend starting a new topic.

That is no coincidence, Schwinn made from 1 to 1.5 million bikes each year from '71 through '74, and 1973 was the peak of the 20th Century American "Bike Boom": campagnolo delta brakes: The American Bicycle Boom

miamijim

What I like a lot about Paramount's is the variety of 'originality. Below is a reference picture of an almost 100% bone stock Paramount with it's original bar tape, twin stick shifters and bar tape.

1957belair

Yes that one is very nice.

xiaoman1 

Hi,
The op was asking about restoration and missing parts on the Paramount etc.Parts that are incorrect have already been mentioned and pricing seems to in the ball park.
Lots of discussion on restoration vs preservation ...you can be in any camp you choose on this one, I tend to like a "clean" unrestored bike with a few scratches that can use a minimal paint touchup but has original parts....patina in my mind is not a bad thing.

Restoration unless it is done properly ($$$) will never be as good as the factory finish and if completed at a high level may keep a person from riding it (trailer queen syndrome).

If the paint is serviceable , just a little touch up needed, I would do that and use a little polishing compound to bring the finish back being a careful not to cut through the paint and harm the decals.

A major concern for me would be the head tube as I can't tell from the photos if there is dust or rust/corrosion on it...if so that's another mater.

It's only new once.
JM2C Ben

post a pic of the Classic Chevy and i'll post one of mine

miamijim

For the most part, when we mention 'restore' we're talking about bringing it back to original specification versus performing a concourse d' elegance type thing. In this instance 'restoring' means acquiring the proper period correct parts and returning the bike to OE spec.

1970 'vette mostly stock
1970 Camaro w/ 675 hp BBC mostly unstock ('family car' not solely mine)...1000+hp LSX has been installed but not fired up yet

1957belair

The head tube is just dirt. Like I said the guy didn't even clean it. There is no rust at all.

1957belair

I am going to keep the bike original and replace the missing parts with correct original. I am going to keep the original paint and clean and polish it. All the chrome is in very good condition.
I will see if I can get some photos of my 57 Bel Air that I am building.
Its a 2 door hard top. Building it to look like it was built back in the late 60's or early 70's. All the drive train and suspension is modern. Body will be original. Seats are front buckets and rear seat out of a 63 Pontiac Grand Prix, Console out of a 66 olds cutlass supream. It will be a dark metallic pear burgundy red with dark saddle brown interior. Reared and frame has been narrowed. 4 wheel disc brakes and power rack n pinion all ready done. Have all brand new parts. Stainless brake and fuel lines and fuel tank. All new glass everything is new.

xiaoman1 

[QU57 Belair, That sounds, good no rust, polish and replace parts and good to go.....looks like it may be a while on your other project so i'll post a pic of one of mine. original "unrestored" 1958 F.I. Regards, Ben


OTE=1957belair;17598391]The head tube is just dirt. Like I said the guy didn't even clean it. There is no rust at all.[/QUOTE]

1957belair

The corvettes and camaro look great. Chevy is my favorite. I have been trying to post photos but none will download. that motor in the camaro is crazy and looks like a lot of fun.
I'm getting irritated trying to post these photos. I am using the photo insert. Is that the right way?