Originally Posted by Scooper
Speaking for myself, if I had somehow acquired this bicycle in its current state I'd send the photos to Richard Schwinn at Waterford and ask him for a quote to restore it to factory new condition. It would be expensive, no doubt, and I'd be unlikely to get back whatever investment I made in the restoration, but its value to me would be considerably more than I could get for it if I tried to sell it.
Stan, have you had any experience with Waterford before? I've heard one or two horror stories about them before - one of which involving clearcoat over chromed areas of the frame.
Frankly, I believe their prices are completely out of line, no matter how good a job they do. There are other frame restorers and painters that charge far less.
P.S.: A word of warning to those looking to restore a '60s Paramount: Have you tried looking for a mint, steel Stronglight Competition crankset recently? I have - they practically do not exist. I'm planning to run a cheap Nervar steel crankset on my '61 as a substitute.
-Kurt