Mike in MI

Around 1990 (while in high school) i bought a Schwinn Paramount 5. I think it was a closeout from the year before so the shop gave me a deal on the bike. I sold it a few years later and haven't thought of it much since. Last year i took up riding again and bought a new aluminum framed bike. Funny, I don't remember feeling this much road back in high school.

Long story short. I'd like to find a paramount like i had before but don't know exactly what year i am looking for. The bike was definately a paramount series 5 and had 105 group. The bike was white with multi colored spots. I've seen pictures of a 1991 (gray with white splatter) and the paint job on the one i had was different.

The shop said it was a "special" paint job for some anniversary???

Anybody have a scan of a 1989 or 1990 catalog?

I don't think the bike is anything special but i liked it and have fond memories of the bike. (I'm 34, midlife crisis coming on???)

Thanks,

Mike in MI

wagathon

e.g., https://www.bikefanclub.com/gallery/s...ze=big&si=54cm

Scooper

Schwinn catalog scans

Look for your PDG Series 5 Paramount in the 1991 and 1992 Paramount catalogs.

Mike in MI

Thanks for the links.

As for the 1989 by Wegathon. My bike was definately not a plain (ie tasteful) white paint job. It was semi-obnoxious.

I looked through the scans for 1991 and 1992. The one i had was close to the one shown in the 1992 catalog (white with purple) but not quite as obnoxious and the secondary colors were more then just purple. Also, the years don't add up for me. I am 99% positive i had this bike on a bike trip riding through the Tetons and Yellowstone and that would have been the summer of 1991 before I went to college.

Did they make a paramount series 5 in 1990?

Did they have special runs of paint schemes?

I know the guy i sold it to but haven't talked to him in 15 years. Maybe i should just look him up and see if he has it sitting around.

Thanks for your help. I am a little more confused now but maybe i lost a year somewhere... Seems like i would have lost one during college, not before.

mike in mi

wagathon

My first Schwinn: a '63 Sierra; and, it was a triple ...

Scooper

Mike,

I could be mistaken, but I think the Series 5 was only made in 1991 and 1992. Waterford Precision Cycles is owned by Richard Schwinn and Marc Muller, and the Waterford website has a nice write-up detailing the history of the Schwinn Paramount. Click HERE, then click "---PDG 'Series'" along the left side of the page. You'll see from the chart that the Series 5 was equipped with Shimano 105 components, and was built in 1991 (White with Gray Splatter) and 1992 (White with Purple Slime (Drips)).

East Hill

Makes me wonder how many of those they sold by using that description!

East Hill

Scooper

Me too, Margaret, but hey - it was the early nineties.

barndoor

You sure it was a series 5 and not a series 7?

The 7's had that obnoxious paint job....sort of looks like a paintball attack?

East Hill

True, so very true!

East Hill

Mike in MI

Thanks for the link Scooper.

I must have my years mixed up. As I recall (scary) the bike i had looked like the 1992 but was a little different. (not as much purple splatter) Although i do recall very similar bar tape (obnoxious white and purple)

I know for sure that I had the 105 group because my brother had the ultegra group on a late 80's carbon fiber tube trek and i was jealous. (he still has it, not riden in 15+ years)

I'll have to continue my search. I recalled seeing a very similar one on e-bay a while ago.

Thanks again.

Mike in MI

Sierra

Funny you should mention it. It's not a bike you hear much about.
When I was 11 years old I wanted one of those so bad I could taste it. Years later I started thinking about it again and started looking for one. It took me years to find one, but now I have gone a little overboard and have five of them(both '63 & '64 models).

Mike in MI

An update....

I tracked down the guy that I sold the bike to and talked to him last night. We worked together for a few years but I haven't talked to him in at least 10 years. We did some catching up and then i asked if he still had the bike. He does and still rides it every once in a while. He confirmed that it was white with purple splatters and the purple and white bar tape. He said the only thing he has replaced was the tires.

I asked if he wanted to sell the bike back but he didn't want to. We talked about it being a Paramount but also that it wasn't a "real" Paramount made in Wisconsin. I told him i would pay him close to what he bought it for 12 years ago but he wouldn't bite. I don't care if i pay more then it is worth i would just like it back for sentimental reasons. (I am very near "middle aged" and I figure a few hundred bucks extra for a bike is cheaper then a mid-life crisis sports car)

He said he would track me down if he ever wants to get rid of the bike.

Thanks for the help on the year.

Mike in MI

cb400bill

I think one like you are referring to is for sale in NorCal.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/603050910.html