My "New" 1973 Schwinn Paramount Model P-15
01-04-14, 01:06 PM
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My "New" 1973 Schwinn Paramount Model P-15
About a week ago I obtained from an old friend a 1973 Schwinn Paramount 15 speed. It had been stored in his garage for more than 30 years. The bike had not been ridden since probably 1980, and it looked pretty bad. However, after some hours of cleaning, repacking bearings, and putting on new tires, it looks pretty good. It has all original campy components, and the original Brooks Professional saddle. The rear derailleur is LeTour GT300, which Schwinn put on the P-15 in place of the campy derailleur starting in 1973. I think the reason for this was that the LeTour (Shimano) handled the very big difference in sprocket sizes better than the campy derailleur of the time. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm a Newbie here. The only new parts are the tires, tubes, and new leather Christophe straps on the toe clips. I also have the original campy air pump which fits on the down tube, but it doesn't work anymore. Am including pictures.
01-04-14, 01:46 PM
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Thats a beautiful bike; hope it provides miles of enjoyment. 
01-04-14, 01:53 PM
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Sweet, congrats! 
Don't toss that air pump, it most likely is a Silca, with a Campagnolo fitting, and the Silca has a leather washer that just needs re-greased, most of the time. I might be wrong, obviously, but look it over.
Don't toss that air pump, it most likely is a Silca, with a Campagnolo fitting, and the Silca has a leather washer that just needs re-greased, most of the time. I might be wrong, obviously, but look it over.
01-04-14, 02:11 PM
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Nice one! Love the color.
01-04-14, 02:51 PM
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Welcome to the Paramount Club and C&V. You made a great decision to "rescue" the P15 from your neighbor. It's amazing when someone has a bike that nice that they would ignore it for decades. Thankfully he didn't take it to the dump or let someone turn it into a fixie!
If you are interested, I've had some great luck polishing Regina Oro cogs on your freewheel back to a very nice gold luster. It should look very nice with Schwinn's Sierra Brown paint.
What month was it made?
If you are interested, I've had some great luck polishing Regina Oro cogs on your freewheel back to a very nice gold luster. It should look very nice with Schwinn's Sierra Brown paint.
What month was it made?
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01-04-14, 03:44 PM
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riverstyx-
If you feel the need for "all Campy" the Campagnolo Rally rear derailleur would handle your gearing. I used one on a Mariposa I once owned and it shifted wonderfully well. Nice clean up on the Paramount, you have an outstanding and true classic in your care.
If you feel the need for "all Campy" the Campagnolo Rally rear derailleur would handle your gearing. I used one on a Mariposa I once owned and it shifted wonderfully well. Nice clean up on the Paramount, you have an outstanding and true classic in your care.
01-04-14, 03:53 PM
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Beautiful bike ! I am really jealous. Just out of curiousity, are those Campy bar end shifters ? I have used a Campy Rally rear derailleur with a TA triple crankset for many years with absolutely no problems.
01-04-14, 04:19 PM
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Wow! Wow!! Sweet bike!!
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01-04-14, 05:53 PM
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It is sad that it just sat for over 30 years, but that worked out well for you. It looks to be it terrific shape and you should make up all the mileage it missed while neglected.
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01-04-14, 06:18 PM
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Thanks for your comments. The serial number on the frame indicates a November 1973 date. As for the cogs, I noticed the golden color, but have not yet worked on it hard enough to bring out that color. There is of course, still some work to do.
01-04-14, 06:24 PM
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Sweet! I second the 'welcome to the Paramount club' ~ Awesome score!
01-04-14, 06:33 PM
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Sweet!
01-04-14, 06:45 PM
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While that's not my bike (wish it was!), I can tell those are Schwinn Approved (made by SunTour) barcon shifters, which were optional on the Paramount that year. Schwinn didn't list the Campagnolo bar end shifters as an additional option until '75.
01-04-14, 06:45 PM
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You are exactly right. The pump is a cream color and is a Silca with a Campy fitting. I cleaned out the tube and added some grease, and bingo, it works just fine! The fitting is for pesta valves. My new tubes have schrader valves. But I can fix that. Thanks for the information. I am learning as I go.
01-04-14, 06:46 PM
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Very nice paramount.
01-04-14, 07:03 PM
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The bar-end shifters are not campy. They simply say Schwinn Approved. They are from Japan, but give no other information.
01-04-14, 07:14 PM
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They are Schwinn-badged SunTour ratchet shifters. Not to worry- they were the best bar-end shifters of that time.
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01-04-14, 07:15 PM
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Nice classic ride. I wish I had an old friend like that.
Last edited by campngolf; 01-05-14 at 03:11 PM.
01-04-14, 07:38 PM
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It has all original campy components... The rear derailleur is LeTour GT300, which Schwinn put on the P-15 in place of the campy derailleur starting in 1973. I think the reason for this was that the LeTour (Shimano) handled the very big difference in sprocket sizes better than the campy derailleur of the time.
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01-05-14, 01:47 PM
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I've heard this story before, probably on another Paramount thread; and have no reason to doubt it. if you didn't know it already, your Le Tour RD is a rebranded Shimano Crane GS. I wonder if this point of derailleur development is the first time those pesky Shimano upstarts had King Campagnolo nervously glancing back over his shoulder?
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01-11-14, 05:16 PM
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I just thought this needed a bump- saw the pix in the other "pump" thread.
It's a really cool looking bike- the brown color is also really cool and indicative of the time.
It's a really cool looking bike- the brown color is also really cool and indicative of the time.
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