Scooper

Well, that is definitely a 1938 serial number, so my guess is that as part of the repair, the head tube and head lugs were replaced. I doubt the whole frame would have been replaced and the original serial number used on the new frame. Since the seat lug is the keyhole style, that part of the frame is almost certainly original. It was almost certainly brazed originally by Emil Wastyn.

A 1938 Paramount with Nervex lugs almost has to be unique (possibly one or two other early frames with similar "repairs").

That is a gorgeous family heirloom.

Scooper

Ed, I've uploaded the 1939 Paramount and Superior catalog to Photobucket HERE.

Ed.

That's that catalog I've somewhere... Uncle Henry had a shop in Melrose, MA. I posted a film Dad had done from in front of the shop recently. I don't have any photos from the era with Dad and the bike - when one takes photos...

So, about 64 or '65 'someone' had a Doctor's appointment in the next town, and 'someones' Dawes Double Blue had been suddenly stopped by a sweet young thing who didn't see any reason to stop for the stop sign for a mere bicycle, so 'someone' used his Father's Paramount for the 8 to 10 mile trip. At the time the Paramount was fitted with Raleigh Golden Arrow wheels, the rear a fixed/free hub. The freewheel side was probably a 74" gear or so, and the fixed maybe 84/86". "Somebody" knew that he could do the taller gear, flopped the wheel and off he went. Between Westwood and Dedham, MA, for those who don't know, is a lovely downhill stretch on Rt 109 where it crosses over Rt 128. Somewhere between the first ramps 'somebody' was rung out in that 84" gear, so he relaxed a bit on the pedals. Unbeknownst to 'somebody' either the chainwheel was cracked, or it cracked at that point, tossing the chain off, the slack then began to wrap up around the rear sprocket, hub, frame end, etc, etc, until the wheel locked up. Made for an interesting ride. 'Somebody' had just about regained control when the tire blew out. Somehow 'Somebody' managed to come to a halt without crashing or being run over... 'Somebody' didn't realize at that point the extent of the damage. 'Somebody' hid the wreckage in the woods and hoofed it the rest of the way to the Doc's.

'Somebody', I guess, must have called home for a ride. Back home 'Somebody' noted, first, while examining the wreckage with Dad, that the two stays were broken and the drop out severely twisted inwards. 'Somebody' took a very, very long walk before Dad noticed.

Scooper

Ed, out of curiosity how old was 'Somebody' when this 'adventure' (or misadventure) occurred?

Ed.

Oh, I'd guess 'Somebody' was 15 +/- 1.

pastorbobnlnh 

@Ed. now that's a STORY! 'Somebody' seems to remember this as if it were yesterday!

So the front wheel never hit anything? Seems odd that the head tube and front lugs would be replaced if you hadn't run into a curb or soemthing.

Can you tell us more about the "sweet young thing?"

Ed.

The experience 'Somebody' had was most memorable, at least it seems so to me.

I have no explanation for the head tube replacement, I don't recollect if the fork was sent in along with the frame, but I assume that to be the case. 'Somebody' certainly never had any sort of frontal impact with this bike.

"Sweet young thing"? I don't recollect saying anything about a "sweet young thing"; if you want an explanation about her (I assume "sweet young thing" is a stand-in for one of the female persuasion) you'll need to give me hint. Speaking of which (sweet young thing), I learned a knew word today - hit a chord with me, perhaps some here, too. "Mansplained". If I have to explain it you won't understand.

pastorbobnlnh 

This "sweet young thing"

Ed.

Ummm, well I left some of my right upper incisor on her car, along with some other bodily fluids. Never collected a dime from her or her insurance company... Beyond that I have no recollection, other than it was at the Rt 1 intersection where Art Johnson's was located (trivia perhaps known to a few here).

pastorbobnlnh 

Ouch!!!!!

Did she at least give you a kiss to make you feel better?

Scooper

Ed, you may be interested in reading about the Nervex Professional lugs since your dad's Paramount now sports them. This is a really good history, and points out that it was a very popular lugset for forty years from its introduction around 1950. The set has been reincarnated as the Newvex Professional series of investment cast lugs by framebuilder Richard Sachs, and I specified the stainless steel version for my 2007 Waterford RS-22. The Nexvex lug set is in current production and is widely used by custom builders.

Nervex Professional Lugs history on classiclightweights.co.uk.

Here are photos of the Nervex Professional top head lug on my 1972 Paramount and the Newvex Professional top head lug on my 2007 Waterford RS-22.

72Paramount

Yes the pics are bad, I'll get better ones up this weekend after I get the nr derailleur and chain back on the 71.

pastorbobnlnh 

Welcome to C&V and thanks for the polite response. Very classy of you!

You do have two very nice and desirable Paramounts. Out of curiosity, which month is your '71?

Ed.

A bunch of interesting stuff on that link. Thank you. I always liked them. What's the reason for the greater 'height' of the Newvex?

I'd love to know the reason for that change on Dad's bike; guess I'll never know.

Micah McDowell

Fairly new here, and just want to say that I love seeing all of these awesome Paramounts.

One question... of the original pre-Waterford bikes, how much did they change over the years? Are the prewar frames remotely similar to the 50s and later stuff? I'd love an early track bike, but what do the early ones ride like?

Scooper

According to Richard, the 18mm top head lug extension is to better complement modern headset and stem configurations. Most modern steel frames have head tubes that extend well above the top tube. Also, the Newvex lugs are designed for oversized tubing (28.6mm top tube and 31.7mm down tube).

Scooper

Hi Micah,

Welcome to BikeForums.

The Waterford website has an excellent section devoted to the history of Schwinn Paramounts.

Paramount - The Early Years 1938-1958

The Classic Era - 1958-1979

Paramounts in Waterford - 1980-1994

PDG Series Paramounts - 1989-1994

Determining Manufacturing Date

Paramount Production Statistics

Regarding the ride of the older track bikes, they have a longer wheelbase than modern track bikes and that makes them a bit more stable, but the short trail makes the steering very nimble (some might say squirrelly).

Here is the very accurately measured geometry of my 1940 23" frame track bike.

rhenning

I thought you guys might be interested in this July 1973 dated Paramount Tandem my friend owns. This is the condition it was in when he recieved it. Interesting frame with a curver stoker seat tube and completely fillet brazed. Mafac cantilever brakes with Weinman levers. Long cage LeTour rear derailleur (Shimano Crane made). Front derailleur is Huret. TA crank set with a 10 speed drive train with the timing chain on the right side of the bike. Campy seat posts in 26.8 size. 23 inch frame front and back. Original owners wife was very tall. It is a very simiar frame to a 1950s Town and Country I used to own. I am going to try to clean it up a bit for him and make it rideable. Roger

Micah McDowell

Thank you for the information! Answers my questions for sure. Hopefully someday I'll have my own Paramount to add to this thread!

72Paramount

February

Hoss Cartright

Latest rendition. Velocals in high UV vinyl. Photo from December 31st 2014 - 1972 P13-9 (24") Tires are Panaracer Pacela. Saddle Selle Anatomica Titanico X. Pedals are 1990s LOOK A5.1. barcons are Schwinn Approved Suntour.

High resolution image here

JRrestore

Very beautiful, I like it.

Joe_Steel

Here's my most recent project. A 1972 Schwinn Paramount P15-9 purchased from the son of the original owner.

Here's a link to a blog post with the story behind this bike, along with some information about Schwinn Paramounts that I compiled from this site and elsewhere on the web:
Crankbased: 1972 Schwinn Paramount P15-9
Edit: Trying out the wordpress blog format (I think it looks better, but doesn't get the same traffic from google): Crankbased on Wordpress: 1972 Schwinn Paramount













Interesting to me that it has a Shimano Crane GS rear derailleur (not rebranded), but I guess that appears consistent with it's late '72, early '73 production / delivery.

Also, the fork steerer is stamped with the identical serial number -- including the "P2" as stamped on the bottom bracket shell.

And finally, a question:
Has anyone else seen an atom symbol stamped on the left rear dropout under the serial number?



Thanks for sharing my enthusiasm for bikes!

pastorbobnlnh 

Joe,

Great looking P-15! And great back story in the blog post! You really scored with all the extra goodies which came with the bike, especially so much great documentation. Amazing it was not lost to the winds of time.

The atom symbol on the left rear dropout is a mystery to me as well. I have seen some symbols stamped in the BB on Chicago made Paramounts, Super Sports, Sports Tourers and Superiors. But never a symbol like this one and never located on the drop near the serial number. I'd like to know more as well.

pastorbobnlnh 

Joe,

Great looking P-15! And great back story in the blog post! You really scored with all the extra goodies which came with the bike, especially so much great documentation. Amazing it was not lost to the winds of time.

The atom symbol on the left rear dropout is a mystery to me as well. I have seen some symbols stamped in the BB on Chicago made Paramounts, Super Sports, Sports Tourers and Superiors. But never a symbol like this one and never located on the drop near the serial number. I'd like to know more as well.