Originally Posted by VeloLisa
After a couple of years of dreaming and searching, I scored a '74 Paramount today from Craigslist for $250. It seems to be in pretty good shape. The frame seems straight, the chrome lugs are in excellent condition and it rides smooth as silk. But, for $250.00 there have to be some negatives. The negatives are:
- It's been repainted (good quality paint job) but it doesn't have any decals on it. Are decals available?
- The rear wheel needs to be rebuilt. Missing a spoke and out of true.
- The rear derailleur is Shimano. Are vintage Campy derailleurs expensive and hard to come by?
- It's a teensy bit too big for me. The top tube is right "up there". Would it be possible to put 700c wheels on the bike? Would that help with the stand-over height?
Any help/suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
-Lisa
Big-time congrats. I think you will really enjoy it. As for decals, try PM'ing mswantek, a fellow BF'er who makes such things. Also, Waterford is the keeper of the Paramount flame, and they can get them to you, although I'm guessing the decals are a bit pricey from them.
The spoke in the rear wheel should not be a problem if you are converting over to 700c wheels, which you can do and probably should, for tire availability if for no other reason. The difference between 27" wheels and 700c wheels is 8mm (630mm diameter v. 622mm). That's about a third of an inch. Since it's the radius of the wheel, not the diameter, of the wheels that matters fro stand-over height, you'll gain about one-sixth of an inch in stand-over clearance.
Campy Nuovo Record rear deraiileurs are available on eBay all the time. To be honest, since I haven't been in the market for one, I really don't have a good grip on what you can expect to spend. Try marking a few for your "watch this item" list and follow them to the end. That shoud give a pretty good view of the market pretty quick.
Enjoy the Paramount. It's a great bike.