Schwinn Paramount? Need help identifying this frame!!!
 

Hello everybody, I'm new here and was hoping somebody could help me out. I'm not an expert or very knowledgeable on Schwinns (I rode a Follis for years) but I'm trying to figure out if this is a Schwinn Paramount or not ... This was given to my by my uncle and it'd been in his garage for quite some time, at least 20 or 30 years. It was in parts (i don't know why) and came with a cinelli neck and some other Campagnolo parts. Decals look flimsy, front plate is obviously missing. Bottom bracket stamped NERVEX 59*3064*D22F38 - all the dropouts are Campagnolo and the fork is stamped reynolds 531 on the post... I've done some research on the net but it's pretty confusing for somebody who's not familiar with these bikes. I'm posting a bunch of pics and I can post more if that helps. Any thoughts as to what this might be??? Thanks in advance!! :D:D

No expert, but I'm going to say it is a Paramount. The question is what year, paint looks like it could be original.
Seems very odd to me there is no serial no. on the left rear dropout. :foo:

Looks like a mid-70s Paramount. Guessing 1974.

It's not a Paramount. Wrong head badge holes, no serial # on fork, wrong fork crown, no serial# on left rear dropout, right rear dropout probably replaced, has rack eyelet, none on fork or right rear, If it was a Paramount would be before 1968 ( nervex BB shell changed to prugant 1968)

I agree with [MENTION=437933]trainman999[/MENTION] for all the reasons he has stated, especially the wrong fork, lack of serial numbers and the very different head badge holes in the head tube.

What size seat post does it take? Can you post pictures of or list the components? Is there any back story from your uncle? Thanks and glad you came to C&V to learn more because it does appear to be a nice frameset.

:popcorn

Whatever it is, looks like a quality bike, and was well used. For a mid 70's looking bike, a cable stop on the underside of the top tube is sort of unusual. Most bikes were full length brake housing held on by clamps. I'd use that as a starting point, as well as the holes for the head badge. It must have been a big one. Other than Schwinn and AD, what else was really brought in country back in the 70's that used 531? I can't think of much. This will be interesting.

+1

Not a Paramount

I am saying it is 1959 at the latest with that lug set.
Full Chrome also on the fork 531
much older than 70s
Nice touring frame!

That fork Crown is familiar

Who would take the trouble to buy, replace, age and partially wear out a set of Paramount decals that ARE mid-70s correct? I know there are some wanting the "look" but this work is pretty darn close. Those decals have been in that frame for some time.

Hey OP, how much do you want for it?

It may have been much easier bitd to obtain decals, especially for a US builder. Not like today when everyone is worried some cretin will badge a Huffy as a Colnago in the attempt to swindle someone.

I swear, as soon as I saw the dropout-to-stay transitions I was pretty sure it wasn't a Paramount. Too clean :)

DD

Hmmmmm, this is weird.

[MENTION=481288]nutpowder[/MENTION] - "not a Paramount" opinions shouldn't be taken as negative. There are other frames every bit as desirable.

X10

Looks like a nice Frame nonetheless.

Concur. If he wants to sell i have a few ideas for it:thumb:

:love: WOW! you people are great, i was starting to think i was dumb for not being able to figure it out on my own but if it's not obvious to you guys then there's no way i could figure it out. here's some more pics and over the weekend i'll take pics of the rest of the parts and i'll try to get more backstory. i was contemplating putting it all back together just to enjoy it and ride but it may be a bigger project than i feel like dealing with right now so i may just sell the parts as is but first i'd love to figure out the mystery! the no serial number part is perplexing.

would it be stamped or should i just measure it?

the post on the fork reads "reynolds 531 butted 16/13" if that helps at all

It may be stamped on the seatpost if one came out of it, but you can only go by that if it was a good clean fit, ears not pinched, distorted, etc and fairly clean seatube. Clean it up a bit and measure to get an idea.

This may not be a Paramount but appears to be on par with one, I would proceed as if it was pretty much equivalent, could be just as cool to find out what it really is. :thumb:

here's some fork detail pics, no serial number that i can see...

Interested in the BCD (bolt circle diameter) of the crank arm.

FBoatsb its' a 151 BCD look at the gap between the bolt and the inner edge of the chain ring A 144 is almost touches the inner edge

Thanks. I have been wondering if there was an easy way to visually ID.

nutpowder look on the underside of the bars for a date stamp also on the stem. the crank is a Record from 1962-1967