Show off your vintage Paramount
#102
Senior Member
Your blog post mentioned production being sold out. That was very true, I have a Schwinn dealer memo dated 4/12/72 indicating all of 1972 Paramount production through Dec. 31st had been sold out by that time. According to other memos Schwinn produced about 3,400 Paramounts in '72 and planned to build 5,200 in '73, and all of '73 Paramount production was sold out by November of '72!
Another cool thing about that bike is that 1972 was the last year Paramounts could be ordered in full chrome. There were some chrome one-offs or inside jobs after that but for everybody else '72 was the end.
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?
And finally, a question:
Has anyone else seen an atom symbol stamped on the left rear dropout under the serial number?
Last edited by Metacortex; 05-11-15 at 09:14 PM.
#103
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stillwater, OK
Posts: 7,827
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1872 Post(s)
Liked 692 Times
in
468 Posts
Edit: wait, you mean there is one just like that in France for $250? And you can't find the cash for it?? That's a great deal.
__________________
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
#105
Senior Member
EDIT: Not to mention pickup only in London, UK.
#107
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Capestang, France
Posts: 1,341
Bikes: Lots of French, some British and a couple of Italian
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 247 Post(s)
Liked 130 Times
in
65 Posts
Ahh yes, I scan a few sites so that really puts it out of reach. As does the confirmation that its a 57cm c-c.
#108
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 23
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
1 Post
That's a fantastic bike! The story and all of the extras are exciting as well.
Very interesting, as @pastorbobnlnh mentioned Schwinn used various stamps on the bottom brackets but I've never seen that "atom" or any other dropout stamp before. Note that the "brother" P15 mentioned above also has the P2 stamp but it does not appear to have the atom on the dropout. That stamp is a mystery so far...
Very interesting, as @pastorbobnlnh mentioned Schwinn used various stamps on the bottom brackets but I've never seen that "atom" or any other dropout stamp before. Note that the "brother" P15 mentioned above also has the P2 stamp but it does not appear to have the atom on the dropout. That stamp is a mystery so far...
#109
is just a real cool dude
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: The Thumb, MI
Posts: 3,165
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 31 Times
in
13 Posts
I was trembling on pressing the "reply" button from the fear of what ive done to my Paramount. It originally came with full tricolor 600 from the hubs down to the headset and a Kinesis aluminum fork. I replaced everything as I'm not a shimano guy and wanted to do an American built themed bike. Yes the Sram stuff is built in Taiwan but you get the idea.
1993 Waterford built Paramount with Reynolds 753
Mixture of Sram Red and Force
Reynolds MV32UL wheels
Thomson post and stem
Time carbon fork
1993 Waterford built Paramount with Reynolds 753
Mixture of Sram Red and Force
Reynolds MV32UL wheels
Thomson post and stem
Time carbon fork
#110
Decrepit Member
I was trembling on pressing the "reply" button from the fear of what ive done to my Paramount. It originally came with full tricolor 600 from the hubs down to the headset and a Kinesis aluminum fork. I replaced everything as I'm not a shimano guy and wanted to do an American built themed bike. Yes the Sram stuff is built in Taiwan but you get the idea.
1993 Waterford built Paramount with Reynolds 753
Mixture of Sram Red and Force
Reynolds MV32UL wheels
Thomson post and stem
Time carbon fork
1993 Waterford built Paramount with Reynolds 753
Mixture of Sram Red and Force
Reynolds MV32UL wheels
Thomson post and stem
Time carbon fork
#111
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 51
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm rebuilding a 1972 chrome paramount I inherited from my uncle. It is the P13 with curved Italian style forks for 700c wheels. So far I've rebuilt the wheels with Pacenti PL23 rims, and employed lighter gauge spokes on the non-drive side rear and all of the front - the front wheel weighs only 775g and rear 885g (w/o skewers/tires/freewheel). The PL23s are a great option for vintage road bikes - box section, double wall, wide, light weight, eyeletted, polished. The tires are Veloflex Master 25s.
I'll post pictures of the complete bike when I have it all together again. I'm not trying to modify the original build apart from having some fun with the wheels!
I'll post pictures of the complete bike when I have it all together again. I'm not trying to modify the original build apart from having some fun with the wheels!
Last edited by swin1; 05-19-15 at 11:50 PM.
#117
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 51
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I posted (#112) pictures of the wheels I built for my 1972 chrome paramount. Here is the complete bike in the hallway, will get much better pictures outside. Serial number is J7282. For its vintage the frame is in excellent condition, with just some wearing of the decals.
Mostly original except for rebuilt wheels, replacement hoods, bar tape, brake cables and brake blocks. Pacenti PL23 700c rims with Veloflex 25mm tires. Freewheel is Regina Oro 14-22 from 1980 (NOS), Regina oro SC chain. The brake hoods are reproduction world logo, and the brake blocks are Cane Creek grey matter (I never had the original Campy holders unfortunately).
Really enjoying the ride, much faster acceleration than I was expecting, brakes work great with the newer pads and machined rims. Still not a fan of downtube shifters though I realise you just don't need any shifting ramps/pins with friction, the bike shifts great with the smaller block freewheel! I have the original pedals/clips/straps but riding it with cleats obviously.
Cheers
Andrew
Mostly original except for rebuilt wheels, replacement hoods, bar tape, brake cables and brake blocks. Pacenti PL23 700c rims with Veloflex 25mm tires. Freewheel is Regina Oro 14-22 from 1980 (NOS), Regina oro SC chain. The brake hoods are reproduction world logo, and the brake blocks are Cane Creek grey matter (I never had the original Campy holders unfortunately).
Really enjoying the ride, much faster acceleration than I was expecting, brakes work great with the newer pads and machined rims. Still not a fan of downtube shifters though I realise you just don't need any shifting ramps/pins with friction, the bike shifts great with the smaller block freewheel! I have the original pedals/clips/straps but riding it with cleats obviously.
Cheers
Andrew
Last edited by swin1; 06-15-15 at 07:01 AM.
#120
Senior Member
Already posted on other threads here, this is a '77 Deluxe Touring Paramount P-10/15, supposedly one of only a handful built that year with canti mounts. Like most of my bikes, the component build isn't very vintage, so apologies if that puts you off. It wound up as a fendered Rando-influenced build. Next time it winds up in my shop it's going to get STI.
I've had two other classic Paramounts, '72-'74, one Touring, one Racing. Also had two later Waterford Paramounts, both built Jan '89. One of the last standard-tube Paramounts and one of the first OS-tube Paramounts.
I've had two other classic Paramounts, '72-'74, one Touring, one Racing. Also had two later Waterford Paramounts, both built Jan '89. One of the last standard-tube Paramounts and one of the first OS-tube Paramounts.
__________________
Fuggedaboutit!
Fuggedaboutit!
#121
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 353
Bikes: '84 Paramount, '89 Schwinn 754, '13 Specialized RockHopper, Trek Domane 4.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
3 Posts
Found this and just couldn't pass it up, a near mint Paramount Series 7 from the early 90's. One of the Japanese built yes, but still a nice bike. Really pissed the wife off with it too...
#122
Senior Member
#123
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
1979 period incorrect P15. Apologies to purists. If I ever have a bit of cash to throw around (unlikely) I might restore it, but I quite like how it is now.
Last edited by hat and beard; 10-23-15 at 03:09 AM. Reason: enlarge picture
#124
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,882
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1452 Post(s)
Liked 2,194 Times
in
962 Posts
Can you show some close ups of the gear you are using? Tell us more about the paint or powder coating. I see very nice line work around the lugs. Was the chrome on the front lugs, fork crown and socks, and rear stays and drop outs too far gone? Usually Schwinn chrome lasts and lasts and is worth saving. It would be interesting to hear what was up with the chrome on your Paramount.
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#125
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nicely done and welcome to C&V.
Can you show some close ups of the gear you are using? Tell us more about the paint or powder coating. I see very nice line work around the lugs. Was the chrome on the front lugs, fork crown and socks, and rear stays and drop outs too far gone? Usually Schwinn chrome lasts and lasts and is worth saving. It would be interesting to hear what was up with the chrome on your Paramount.
Can you show some close ups of the gear you are using? Tell us more about the paint or powder coating. I see very nice line work around the lugs. Was the chrome on the front lugs, fork crown and socks, and rear stays and drop outs too far gone? Usually Schwinn chrome lasts and lasts and is worth saving. It would be interesting to hear what was up with the chrome on your Paramount.
It looks like 1979 Paramounts never got the chrome treatment. Here it is in the catalog:
This is what it looked like when I got it. A friend of mine painted it. I outlined the lugs myself and am pretty unhappy with the results. I will definitely give that another shot soon.
The gear is an unholy hotchpotch of new and old and Japanese and Italian because most of it was either donated to me by my LBS or I already had it. I would have liked to build it up with all or mostly 1970s Campy, but that wasn't within my means. The frame was also stretched to 126 mm when I got it, so I decided to take it a step further and build it up with modern hubs and cassettes.
Sugino compact cranks with Velo Orange chainrings
Campagnolo Veloce RD
Nuovo Record FD
Shimano 105 hubs
H PLUS SON clincher rims
Grand Bois tires and randonneur handlebars
New Dia Compe brakes and levers
Last edited by hat and beard; 10-23-15 at 05:48 PM.