Hi, a newbie here -- great site! I lucked into a 72 Paramount (#L72325) that needs a little TLC (tires, cable housings, cables, brake levers). I'd like to know in general which components were original, so I don't foolishly ditch something hard to find. Anyone know of a resource for Paramounts of this vintage? What info should I be supplying here to better identify the bike for y'all?

Re the brake levers -- they can't be original. Someone put Schwinn levers w/ the cheater top-of-the-bar extensions on, but luckily left the Weinmann centerpulls.

Any comments on tires (and rims)? Cable housings? Freewheels? Decals?

Any guidance on how much to put into the bike (like, it's not worth more than xxx)?

Thanks and I'll post any add'l info that's needed!...

First off, the Paramount could be ordered with any component in the Schwinn parts bins. So brake lever extensions, which were very popular, may be original.

That makes them easy to restore. Nearly anything goes.

Before we go any farther, pls send photos. A full shot from the drive side will do fine.

If it doesn' have Campagnolo parts, it's still kool. Fewer were made w/o Campag parts.

If it has Campag parts, here's the catalog from that time:

https://www.campyonly.com/history/1974/record.pdf

And value is a function of the condition of the frame.

I personally like production frames over custom. Frames like the Eisentraut Limited and 'production' models from Sachs and Gordon are more 'working class'. A good thing in my book.

And keep in mind that Waterford Precision Bicycles can restore your frame to like-new condition for reasonable rates.

Paramounts are very classy bikes. Very American. If you do it right, it'll be like owning a '72 Shelby.

Have fun and thanks for taking care of a piece of American bicycle history.

snipped:

helllllllllllloooooo...
when did Sachs ever do a production model??!
e-RICHIE©™®

Original purchaser, bespoke. 2nd owner, production

be seeing you

english is my native toungue, but
i am not sure what you mean!!!!!
e-RICHIE©™®

If truly made to measure, it will be specific to one, a compromise to anyone else.
Production requires compromise.
2nd owner gets a compromise, therefore equal to production.
Like most everyone, must weigh the attributes to decide if it is the right combo for them.

hey - thanks for the translation.

now, let me try this again...
matthew, when did i ever make a production frame?!
e-RICHIE©™®

if memory serves me, some time in the mid-'80s you produced frames w/ non-custom geometries - is that inaccurate?

and for the record, I spell my name with a capital M - proper nouns, you know

mmmmmatthew...
during a slow period in the 80s i made what added up to
about 30 frames that were less than my then signature model
frames. they were not production frames. they were no-frills,
or should i say, fewer-frills frames. but they were built to order.
e-RICHIE©™®

Not possible to own a 72 Shelby production of Shelby's stopped in 69 and the last few left over models were slighly modified and sold as 70's.

Reid,

While Matthew and e-RICHIE©™® argue about "production" Sachs, you might want to dig around here for awhile:

https://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/...#1972paramount

I don't have the '72 Paramount catalog up yet, but the '73 is there and would be very close in spec.

Have fun,

Bob Hufford
Springfield, MO

hehehe

The Schwinn-approved brake levers are undoubtedly Weinmanns, and may well have been original. I believe, at least for a few model years, suicide brake handles and TwinStik stem shifters were Paramount options.

The standard 10-speed gearing I recall seeing from that era was a pretty tall 52-49 / 14-16-18-22-26.