Ok. This is kind of far fetched I know. Some of you know that back in the early 80s I bought a Ross Paragon brand new from Bike and Ski in Sheboygan Wisconsin, and then about 5 years later I had to sell it. I've been grieving ever since and going on about it on here ever since I joined.
I paid over $400 (closer to 5) for it of hard earned money. I was about 15 years old. I kept it in my room at my parents house where I lived at the time. I rode it everywhere. It was my trusted and beloved friend, sometimes my only friend. It was light, it was fast, it was good looking and it was mine.
I added a "Flickstand" on the downtube and a chrome chain protector on the tube that is under the chain. I also cut the handlebars and made them into what we now call "bullhorns". I loved that mod and it rode like a dream for me. That bike fit me perfectly. I weighed about 135lbs soaking wet iirc.
One day, about 1988 I needed funds to help a friend in dire need and so I sold it to another friend for much less than I paid. I was desperate. Anyway, they went off to college in Janesville, Wisconsin and I never saw the bike again (until now?). I remember asking about it in the early 90s (hoping to get it back) and the friend I sold it to said that he had finished school and sold it to a guy at school, in or near Janesville. I think he said it was his room mate. That was the last I heard of my precious 1983 Ross Paragon.
Fast forward to 2024. I am looking at some online classifieds in Wisconsin and I see a "Ross Touring Bike". (I live in Florida now). I see a little script on the top tube but I cant tell if it says Paragon or Signature. So as I'm looking at it, I noticed that it has regular drop bars on it not the cut off bullhorns that I modded on my old bike. I also noticed that the seat is different. The bike came with a Viscount Aero and in the ad it has a Velo. People change bars and seats for their preferences though, so I'm still hopeful.
I look a little more and I notice it has a flickstand on it on the downtube. I have never ever seen another bike with a flickstand on it in all the looking at bikes I have done over the years and.. the flickstand looks like it is in the exact EXACT same place as I installed the one on my Ross Paragon in the early 80s.
So now I'm intrigued. I look at the photo a little closer and I see what I think is a chain protector on the tube under the chain but its not chrome , its hard to see and may be rusty.
I look at the location of this bike and it is located 35 miles from Janesville WI, the last known location of my bike! I'm getting excited.
I shoot off a text to the seller and she says its a Paragon and her husband (about the same age as me I think) bought it from a student in Madison which is 40 miles from Janesville. She said he's had it for a "several years". Honestly it looks like its been stored in a barn and not ridden for at lease a couple decades.
What are the chances that this is the same bike that I bought new in the early 80s? How can I be sure, and if so, how can I get it back ? They are asking $300 which is way more than the bike is worth but to me I might be willing to pay that if I knew for sure it was my old bike.
What do you think? Please advise.
Thanks
This is me in about 1983 or 84 with my Ross Paragon in the background. See the S in Ross is covered by the flickstand.
This is the bike that is for sale. Its 35 miles from the last known location of my old Ross Paragon. Notice the flickstand covering the S in Ross just like on my old bike. Is there a rusted chain guard on the tube below the chain?
Heres a pic of the flickstand that the seller just sent me. If i knew the serial number could any of you tell when the bike was made?