TenGrainBread

I got this frame and a lightly used DA 7400 group a couple of months ago and finally getting around to starting. This is an '88 SLX Metallic Black frameset with the 50th Anniversary decals, although obviously not the limited edition with the gold fork. Frame and decals are in great condition with a few small scratches and scuffs that I touched up with black nail polish after cleaning the frame. I also Framesaver'ed it.



Unfortunately while scrubbing the frame down some of the painted-on headset labeling came off. Used to say "Stronglight Paramount".



Here's what I'm thinking for the build (I have some of these already):
-DA 7400 drivetrain and brakes
-Cinelli bars and stem (1A, Giro bars)
-Black anodized MA40s laced to Dura Ace hubs
-Conti Grand Prix Classics (25s) with the mahogany sidewall
-Some sort of stainless bottle cage, either silver or matte gray to match the DA brake levers
-black Brooks Swift
-VO metallic braid cables
-Tressostar bright gray cotton bar tape (will this look good on a late 80s frame?)

Feel free to post pics of your '88 Paramounts for inspiration

TenGrainBread

A couple initial questions:
1. What do people think about using the cotton bar tape?
2. Should I coat the decals in clear nail polish or is that overkill? This will be a fair weather rider.
3. Frame pump suggestions? Perhaps something new

Flog00

Classy looking bike!

oouellette

Here's mine, but not quite the same deal

oddjob2

Rode mine for the first time 10 days ago in Florida. Just arrived in Michigan this past Friday. I've ridden it a total of 30 miles, with sneakers on those Look pedals. Pedals and saddle to be changed, also thinking about a shorter stem too.

TenGrainBread

@oouellette Really cool to see the track version. Must not be a lot of those around.

pastorbobnlnh 

Beautiful find! I have a metallic black '83 Waterford Paramount, and the way the paint glistens under the sun is amazing.

To answer your questions:

1. I don't care for cotton bar tape. I need the extra padding that modern tape offers. I currently run Nashbar premium tape on most of my bikes.

2. I think this is overkill and not needed. Polish and wax the frame once a year with a quality product, keep it clean after each ride and use a quick spray wax as needed.

3. Use what you like best and fits your frame. I'm using a Zefal.

FatBaldMen

Not to derail but does anyone think 28's would fit under Dura Ace road brakes on our paramounts?

Here's my $50 find. Actually, it found me.

mountaindave 

This is the year everything went Loud and Proud for many manufactures. You could do a simple Benotto tape (I'd go white with white brake hoods). But that's a bit "early 80's" so maybe you want to go with black and white "splash" cork tape. But if that idea is abhorrent, get yourself some white Fizik microfiber tape, some white brake hoods and never look back. This is a fairly conservative paint job for an '88 after all.

Here's an example in red:


OK, I don't have white hoods, but natural rubber is pretty sick too. To be honest, this bike now sports white cloth tape with white hoods...


I thought I had a bike with Fizik white and white hoods, but alas. So the B/W combo is pretty spiffy too.


Of all the handlebar tapes, the Fizik is the easiest to keep clean. White hoods are a b!tch to keep clean, but it is doable and was all the rage in '88. My '88 Specialized Sirrus came with them. Put a little white talc on the hoods to keep them from getting sticky. I think it also helps keep them clean.

RobbieTunes 

I am not a cotton bar tape fan, but I respect their choices.

Yes, I added the fork decals. Paramount repainted this and did not add them.

TenGrainBread

Thanks for the input y'all!

Unfortunately I am not a fan of splash tape or white tape aesthetically, so I might just grab a couple rolls of the Tressostar cotton and try it. Maybe I'll double wrap if comfort is an issue and I like the look.

@pastorbobnlnh Is that an HPX on your frame? Is it compatible with the pump peg? Zefal has a couple of peg frames but it looks like the current HPX has no mount for a peg. Also, I've waxed the frame so I'll just leave it at that per your advice.

@mountaindave That's a beautiful Allez (?), by the way

Loving all the blue 'Mounts!

The Golden Boy 

I saw this picture and thought- "man that looks like Madison- like one of those streets between Washington and E. Johnson..."

And then I saw your location.

TenGrainBread

@The Golden Boy Quite an eye, that is E Johnson :0

himespau 

Can't wait to see it all built up.

The Golden Boy 

I'm dangerous when I drive in Madison- I'm always looking at what bikes people are on... We don't have that kind of bike population out east.

pfft... pedestrians are so... pedestrian. Other cars can get out of my way... Ooooh Paramount!

Scooper

Here's my '87 with D-A 7400 7-speed.

Parabolous

1. I would say go for Newbaum's rather than Tressotar. Maybe not as wide, but makes up in length. You could always double-wrap it, for more comfort. VO makes a "comfy" cotton tape, though I've never tried it. In my opinion, nothing beats the feel of suede bar tape and Fizik makes some great tape. Also, in my opinion there's only one way to wrap cotton tape and that's from stem to bar end. Haha but many will disagree.

2. I also say that a good wax is all you need. If you just clear coat the decals and not the entire frame it will chip eventually and may degrade the decals.

3. Zefal pumps. Or, look up some UK bike sites and they sell "chrome" vintage-looking frame pumps. They probably don't perform like Zefal, mostly just for looks.

Great bike! Can't wait to see the final product!

RobbieTunes 

When the wind was right, you could smell the Oscar Meyer plant out past Truax.

RobbieTunes 

I lived on E Johnson, as did my brother when he went to UW. I lived in a normal apartment. He lived over in the student slums. Good access to skating, though, in the winter, and there was little dive right next to the Recruiting Center on E Wash.... More fun was to be had, though, in the bars over in the Italian section.

pastorbobnlnh 

I believe it is a Zefal HPX. It does work with the pump peg. Wish all my bikes had one.

mountaindave 

That's my wife's '85 Allez SE, @TenGrainBread, thanks!

You can do fun things with cotton tape too:


My wife's restored '73 Gitane TdF. I actually used hockey tape. You could do a single layer of one color underneath and then something fancy on top.

Whatever you do, it's going to look beautiful on that Paramount with 7400 - the sexiest generation of DA ever.

TenGrainBread

A little bit more work done today with a random day off...

Retrieved the MA40s I'm going to use, cleaned em and put new bearings and grease in the hubs. Also picked up the Conti Grand Prix Classics (25s, folding) and put them on the rims. Not sure whether it was the tires or the rims, but these were a PITA to get on. The tires sure do look nice, though. I think the mahogany sidewalls will match the copper rivets on the saddle.







I also picked up a Brooks Isle of Wight saddle bag from REI for the bike. With this year's member refund and free shipping the total was $6.79 for the bag . I think the gray will go well with the decals and cable housing and the brown will go with the tire sidewall and saddle rivets.

TenGrainBread

I forgot a picture of the rear hub:

pastorbobnlnh 

Lookin' sweet!

TenGrainBread

I finished the bike a week ago but the weather's been terrible up 'til today. Took it out for a shakedown ride. Only adjustment needed is to tighten out some play in the front hub. The indexed DA 7400 setup is smooth as butter. The Conti Grand Prix Classics are really smooth-riding tires. Overall I'm very happy with the frame and fit.

Bits and pieces: late 80s Chorus (?) aero seatpost, Cinelli 1A stem, Cinelli Giro d'I bars, Tressostar silver cotton tape, MA40 rims with Conti Grand Prix Classics (25c) mounted, Planet Bike (I think? don't remember) stainless bottle cage, Velo Orange braided cable set, Brooks Swift. The rest is DA 7400.

At an old industrial building on the east side next to the Capitol City Trail: