68Paramount

On most, if not all of my other bikes, the top tube measurement and the seat tube measurement are very close in length.
Even on my vintage 1983 Schwinn Super Sport, the top tube and seat tube are equal at 57cm.

My 1968 Schwinn Paramount has a top tube length of 57cm and a seat tube length of 53cm. Could this have been one of the custom builds that Schwinn offered?

Kactus

That is a big difference. Have you considered getting a provenance report from Waterford?

68Paramount

I have thought about it but I was thinking that it would come back as a stock Paramount with very little information. With this little oddity, I might need to make it more of a priority.
Thanks Kactus.

Noah Scape

The 53cm to the 66cm probably all had a 57cm top tubes. It's kinda how they used to do it.

Bandera

Sheer utter nonsense.
Chicago built Paramounts were each made to order, the build list was extensive with many options for the owner to decide on including frame sizing. Although there were "stock" geometries for each road frame size and model (P10, P13 or P15) custom sizing was available.

"Model P13-9 (Men's). FRAME OPTIONS:

◦Standard frame sizes of 20", 21", 22", 23", 24", 25" or 26" may be ordered at no extra cost.
◦Custom built, made to measure frame -- $40.00 extra cost."

Schwinn Lightweight Data Book (Detail 1970-1974)

PS: My '68 P-mount was built to spec for that massive $40 up-charge.

-Bandera

Noah Scape

Perhaps, it is a custom build. But can you tell us what the stock top-tube length was for that sized frame?

Bandera

Oddly enough I didn't memorize the build sheet options for all flavors of Paramounts, not even my own.
Test your Google-Foo on the matter or failing that PM @Scooper, he has PDF's of an amazing range of Schwinn printed product info from "back when".

The OP can pay a few $ and get info from Richard at Waterford about the actual history of the machine.

-Bandera

Noah Scape

Looks like the top tubes were proportional to seat tube lengths.

Bandera

Wasn't that easy?

-Bandera