It might have been just a European Ford, but it could be tuned into a beast of a car:

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Actually I remember a group of guys that all rode Paramounts and may have dressed like that when not on the bike. Me being in my teens I thought they were really old, but they were probably in their 40's. Racers from the old days. In the 60's you could go to your local Schwinn store and order up a Paramount just the way you wanted it. There was a huge loyalty to Schwinn bikes back then. And these old racer dudes probably all raced Wastyn built Paramounts back in the day. This was in suburban Chicago. I think the Belgian, German, Italian heritage ran deep as well as the six day racing history in Chicago. Schwinn was like the local custom builder.

In 1973, I was kung fu fighting. Everybody was.

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Speaking of Kung Fu fighting...but I'd ditch the weight belt, rather hard to breath going up a hill. Any idea what bike he's on, but hey a righteous pump!

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The expression on the bike racers face says it all...."This is my trophy?!"....a golden age of vintage bikes and ....

...memories...picture titled "Summer time Cruising in San Francisco early 70s"...have to play some Beach Boys while I grind the trainer today, good day to you all.

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My friend and I bought 1967-1969 Schwinn Super Sports at the same time. We looked like the guys in the catalog, riding in plaid shorts, white socks etc. I remember thinking I was the coolest guy in the world. Now, when I look back and see pictures of myself at that age I start to laugh uncontrollably.

Good times.

Could be just me, but the catalog picture on the first picture screams "creepy". That guy looks to be in his late 30's, is wearing clothing that's completely inappropriate for either cycling, or hanging by the pool, and seems to be hoping to impress the young lady with his bike (which really has no business that close to the pool).

Now if I were to learn that he is the girl's dad, or uncle, and is showing her the birthday present he got her... different story.

That said, even back in the day, I found more than a few of the scenes depicted in Schwinn catalogues to be rather "square" and contrived by marketeers who were not cyclists, and who didn't have their finger on the pulse of the youthful riders who received them (square is my charitable substitute to ensure the word filter doesn't nail me) :lol: Perhaps they were selling a wholesome image to the parents who got them, and hoped that their 15 year old would use them to ride to the Country Club where they would mix with the right sorts.

My speculation aside, they evidently had considerable success - whether because of, or in spite of marketing. They did produce a reliable, durable, product that did convey some status - even if they did run on the heavy side.

She's admiring the length and routing of the brake cables. :innocent:

He's just being a gentleman. You could still do that in 1972. :)

True. But most weren't. I owned a 1600 Mk II in 1984, but my friends flatly refused to get in, so I sold it after a couple of weeks.

They were smart. My buddy's dad raced and restored old cars when not traveling. Him and my friend rebuilt an old car like that. I thought it was kinda feminine also but he was a good friend and I'm not homophobic. Anywho, we roll up to a light and 5 guys from another high school start calling us **** and talking crap. I get angry, snap and called them out so they followed us back to a parking lot. I had enough foresight to call the biggest mouth out for one on one. So we start fighting, lock up and he starts biting me! Through my finger to the bone. I'm punching him in the face to get him to stop and he finally let's loose. They take off as by then most of the school was out there. I have to go get my finger sewn together, just for riding in that car. :D

I'm imagining the following exchange:

Him: Hey, baby, check out my new wheels, Wanna come over and see my bike pump?

Her: Learn not to cross-chain and ditch the turkey wings, polyester boy, and them maybe - maybe - we'll talk.

Sadly (snicker), he's missing a "bike pump", however Arnold isn't, sign of an accomplished .... rider?:innocent:

Ah, the creepy old men thread.:notamused:
No need to think about how unwelcome you're making women on this forum feel if you're still living in the 70s, I guess.

I didn’t start looking like that until 1978. ;)

I did ride a 1975 Schwinn Le Tour from 1977 to the mid 1980’s though.

Actually the old women celebrate too, but then you presume to know me so well, hardly. :lol:

If advertising reflected reality, I don’t think it would be very effective.

Do you mean the woman today who wear paper thin skin tight yoga pants that look like they are painted on? I am pretty sure they are not offended by a woman in a bikini from 1973? Maybe in Madison?

I don't think anybody is offended by or really even cares about an ad from 1973. What I'm talking about is the (supposedly) adult men making sexual comments in this thread in 2018. Surely you see how that could be alienating to female C&Vers who wish to be seen as fellow hobbyists, mechanics, and riders, not bodies to be ogled?

Will this crap ever stop? You would not even be born if men never made sexual comments about woman. Do you want the human race to end? Seriously though, all the men posting on this thread as well as woman, all having a good time. Start a forum for uptight easily offended bike lovers and let everyone else have some fun?

I'll tell you an anecdote from my life to illustrate what I'm saying.
A few years ago I decided to get a tech degree in welding and metal fabrication. It was a year long program at the local tech college with about 16 students.
Being in Wisconsin, I was the only Jewish person in the group. And being a welding program, there was only one woman in the group. Fine.
Throughout the year, a couple of the other students made Jewish jokes about me, drawing on stereotypes for laughs. Many of the students frequently made sexual comments to the female student, and also about a female instructor.
To them, it was all in good fun. They were having a great time, and to them the Jewish jokes were funny, and the sexual comments were normal.
To me, and the female student, it put us on the outside. Not only did they not respect us as equals, but these kinds of comments also bring fear of physical abuse. The female student told me she was just waiting for the day when she would be groped or grabbed. What is a joke for you is alienating and fear-inducing for others. I think it would benefit you to do a little more listening instead of just dismissing the real experiences people have.

Well I am bald , white and a Christian. Three things that comedians are still allowed to make fun of. I have thick skin.

The Euro Ads were so much cooler.

https://s18.postimg.org/s4uppbks9/6_..._b_312x344.jpg

My general rules of thumb - don't make a person the target of a joke unless you're friends with them and know they won't be offended.

If commenting on, or busting on someone who isn't there, make it about something they've done, rather than who they are.

Yes, it's the real world, and there are going to be times when your skin needs to be thick, but why compound incivility?

Ten Grain - you may be overgeneralizing here, imo. A couple posts might make folks feel a bit uncomfortable, but I really didn't have the impression that was the overall tone.

for the record - I'm caucasian, a bit overweight, middle-aged, and my hair is awesome. :D