Picked up an interesting Paramount
 

I couldn’t resist buying this for a project. It’s hard to read but I think it’s a 1973. Price was very low due to the repaint, and braze ons that were added. That’s the main reason I wanted it, non original so I’m free to finish it any way
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...134a9f652.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c51f5ee69.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bd2f03ebf.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f3110f810.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...806581743.jpeg
I choose. Plus the two water bottle mounts are perfect. Very quality work done to it, I’m curious what the chrome on the rear stays look like. It’s a 23” which is a tad big, but I can make it work out as a rider..

They are lovely bikes to ride. My 23" one is also a bit large but works well with a shorter stem.

-----

as recalled, the forum had a thread on this iron a few moons back

was probably over in appraisals


-----

Nice score! Have you looked for the serial number on the left rear dropout? It will reveal the month and year it was made.

Yeah, it’s hard to make out.

Best of both worlds. Very nice find.

Nice score. I think that blue with the chrome looks really pretty, it's giving me ideas for my Raleigh International. I wonder why they didn't put brazed-on BB cable guides? Looks like they did everything else. What is the refinish and rebuild plan?

Im not sure yet. Powder coat is going to cost $300. Or I can touch up the blue, add decals and call it done. But, Im really curious about the condition of the chrome on the rear stays. As far as the components go everything’s good except the seatpost is a 27.0 I thought it should be a 27.2. It’s missing shifter stop tabs, they had the cables ran in reverse. And more than likely I’ll keep the tubulars even though I hate them.

I also repainted mine in a dark blue. It works well with the decals.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...703377424.jpeg

Should look nice when cleaned up.
That high quality IMRON paint done by Cycle Works and I like how it looks with the paramount chrome lugs

Nice! This is the type of pick I like. All there and though a repaint, looks to be of better quality. Painter denoted decal. The reverse shifters and sans stops clearly an indicator a full tear down is needed. Regardless, its just routine to do it.

Extensive cleaning, chrome lug preservation, paint touch up, decals, finish polishing. Wouldn't bother with mystery chrome under the painted stays. Leave it. Select colored decal font to nicely contrast and same with the bar tape. Consumables~ cables and Kool Stops.

Tune the wheelset and since saving the expense on a repaint or p.c., splurge for Veloflex tubulars in the 30mm width range. Phenomenal.

All ready torn down and testing colors on touch up, I have two daughters so plenty of nail polish. This is probably the route I’m going to take I really hate the idea of over spending on a rider. I have the downtube water slide. I’ll give that a go and if it turns out that’s probably it for decals.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b3a38329f.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9d4db3e68.jpeg

That's what I thought. Vintage Paramount, P13 geo and tubing, room for 700x32c tires, and two bottle cage boss sets = no murdering of the paint. I'd want to find one (in a 25" or 26") in rider or worse (visual) shape and do that.

[I mean, I really like my '89 OS Paramount, which can do all of that minus fitting true 32mm tires, but I 'need' this for comparison!]

Thats a really pretty blue color. Should be relatively easy to polish and match.

I’ve never cared about replacing decals. If I am the one keeping and riding it, I know what it is. Everyone else can guess!

I like decals. I don’t like to overdo it. But I think the downtube decals and a Reynolds decal should do it.

Waterbottle bosses, clamp on bottle cages on a classic paramount just hide them at the wrong spots.
managing the seat tube graphic might be a problem.

... or just use the water bottle bosses, because they are functional and avoid scarfing the paint, and only the gang here on BF would notice, anyway :)

Whatever you decide, it's a special machine, and I am confident you'll get a lot of miles and smiles out of it. I have a friend who still rides his trusty 1975 Paramount quite a bit. I believe he bought it new, and as he did his obligatory 80-mile birthday ride, figured "why replace it?" Yup, another old guy on an old bike -- the unbeatable combination.

See progress already. Blue on chrome is sharp. Pair of V O. elegant cages would look classy and they do the job.

Thread motivated me tonight to ride the '75 P15. The spoils of these bikes.. holy molly I'd forgotten how good a ride and an ease, nothing nervous about them. Have low miles riding on Vittoria Corsa Control 2.0 tubulars 30mm width. Ridiculously smooth as glass and such low rolling resistance. Feels like a hidden motor.

I like it! The serial number usually appears on the steerer tube on Paramounts as well as the dropout so hopefully it’s a bit more clear.

F7334 So June 1973

Cleaning up pretty good, I think this is going to make a nice rider.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...db36dc8fe.jpeg

you read in more than I wrote.
use the bottle bosses, opens up the downtube graphics for full viewing.
the placement of the seat tube might limit the placement of them without cutting out an opening.

this bike has a decent amount of modifications.
the top tube cable routing choice might suggest one brand of brake over another.

the chainstay graphic states imron.
that paint even if available would not be an economic choice, most painters used a color from the stock offerings, I would look for a matching paint to the imron color code.

What is the small decal on the downtube, up near the head tube?

Campagnolo

Fender eyelets on rear dropouts but not fork might indicate the rears were added and that’s why the chrome was painted over. I’d leave it painted.