scootermann

I have come into possession of a 1973 Schwinn Paramount. My little brother bought it new in '73 and had it repainted about 8 years ago. He didn't like the color, so he stashed it in his barn and bought a carbon frame road bike. He recently gave me the Schwinn and I am trying to figure out if I should clean it up and ride it (and sell my commuter); cannilbalize it for all the Campy parts and put them on my commuter (Specialized Milano) and sell the Paramount frame; or just sell the whole thing. I have a road bike, so would not use it for that...

The bike is in good condition. My brother changed out the campy center-pull brakes and had some cable guides (lugs?) brazed on the top bar, and replaced the original pedals Those lugs have a dusting of surface rust. Everything else is original; Campy fork, bearings, stem, seat post, brake levers, friction shifters, derailleurs, wheels, skewers, etc. As you would imagine, it needs a good cleaning. I could get the whole frame powder coated for about $75, but would loose the chrome lugs, and possibly the chrome on the fork and back/chain stays in the process.

What to do... what to do.

Any insight as to the value of the Schwinn, or just general opinions, would be appreciated. Thanks.

lostarchitect 

Photos will be necessary to give a good value. Unfortunately, repaints and modifications can hurt value. DO NOT powdercoat over the chrome. You will totally destroy the value of the frame and someone else will just have to strip it off later.

Personally, I would not strip the parts for your commuter. I would either clean it up and ride it or sell the whole thing (still clean it up, it will sell better clean). Paramounts bring good money.

KonAaron Snake 

+1 to Lost...either ride or sell complete. Campy center pulls? Do you mean Weinmann?

We really need photos to give a value guide...I think the repaint and lugs will impact value negatively.

FastJake

+1 Need photos

+100 Paint kills value, powder-coating drops an atom bomb on it. Do NOT powdercoat this frame if you ever intend to sell it. It's already a shame it's been painted.

wrk101

That PC would be the last step in destroying the value left in that frame. Parts are not desirable for a commuter rebuild, they are quite desirable to someone looking for a complete Paramount with original parts.

silvercreek

scootermann

Agree. Will post some "right out of the barn" pics soon. What's the big bruhaha about powder coating? The bike has already been repainted and with the brazed on lugs would think that a "historical vintage restore" would be difficult if not impossible. I do just want it to noodle around on. Probably sell my Specialized Milano if I keep the Paramount, or visa versa. My thinking is that powder coat is just a more durable form of paint, and with the appropriate decals would be better than (and more durable) what I have now. No?

And yes, the brakes were probably Weinmann (now replaced with DuraAce).

lostarchitect 

It's your bike, you can do what you want. What we're advising (since this is the appraisals forum) is that powdercoating it, especially if you go over the chrome, will destroy whatever value is left. if you don't care about that, well, that's your choice. Personally, beyond monetary value, I think PC over the chrome will ruin the looks of the frame as well. Also PC is thicker than paint, which can look really bad on the transitions between the lugs and the tubes. If you hate the color, why not just get it painted again?

KonAaron Snake 

Exactly...and once powder coating is done, it's pretty much not coming off. It's a cheaper option that has its place, but to someone buying a Paramount that place isn't on that bike. Repainting it wouldn't hurt it's current value (if done well), but powder coating will. I'd clean it and ride it, or sell it.

scootermann

Thanks for the input. I really wasn't aware that PC was a big no-no. But for the record, I wouldn't PC or paint over the chrome. If I decide to paint, I would probably do it myself, and I have a couple of questions. The underside of the top bar feels a bit rough—like sand. I cannot see any rust. But could it be rust under the paint? If repainting, I was hoping not to have to take the frame all the way down to white metal... And secondly; if decals are applied, should they be clear coated over?

BTW; pics coming.

KonAaron Snake 

It probably is bubbling under the TT - it's pretty common actually. What happens is sweat comes off your head onto the TT, it collects at the bottom and, if not cleaned off, can cause rust. It's especially common when the bike was used indoors on a trainer. That would also explain the rust to the cable guides that you mentioned. If the rust on the guides is light, it probably means the rust under the TT isn't a killer. I'd treat the whole frame with weigle frame saver when you break it down for painting. I only use ti bikes on trainers now. Problem solved.

Clear coat can help, but I've found it rubs away after a bit.

wrk101

You have some tough choices. Properly dealing with rust is quite a bit of work. You run the risk of putting a lot of effort into this bike and reducing its value.

So you might just want to sell it as a project, as is. There are always people looking for Paramounts from this era, even in poor condition. The more original parts you have, the better.