Originally Posted by
72Paramount
Does anyone really know if Don Mainland made all the chrome paramounts in 72? My 71 had a p40 designation on the bottom bracket which I assume stands for pioneer manufacturing (Mainlands shop), but my 1972 chrome p13-9 has no inscription on the bb at all. So I guess I am a little confused as to if the 72 is a Chicago Schwinn or a Wisconsin model. Any thoughts?? Thanks
I don't believe there's any way to tell for sure.
My chrome '72 P15-9 is s/n M72274 (December), so I suspect it is a 1973 model year bike. Fully chromed Paramounts were not listed as an option for 1973, so I believe mine is one of the last chromed Paramounts made. It doesn't have any markings on the BB shell. Looking closely at the lugs, there are some faint file marks visible and I haven't seen those on chromed frames I know were brazed by Don Mainland.
Who knows?