We are in Los Angeles for Christmas, and I immediately set to work on the vintage bike hunting aspect of suddenly being in the big city.

Later I'm going to look at an unknown Schwinn with full Campy NR. Have only one sketchy picture and very little info. It has been repainted. It's a ten speed.
I know nothing about Schwinn's, and I don't think I'm really going to develop a passion for them. Mostly I'm interested in the Campy parts but I do want to show up somewhat educated, so my question is:

How do you easily and on-the-spot pick up the clues to ID'ing a Paramount or other top tier Schwinn?

Paramount spotting features:
Solid Nervex or Prugnat lugs (no cutouts) - post '70 bikes w/Nervex lugs have Prugnat BB shells. Campagnolo NR drive w/either NR or Weinmann 999 brakeset. Seat stays with plain angled caps. Nutted brake mounting. Braze-ons limited to chainstay RD cable stop, with exception to some w/rear brake cable stops on the top tube (others have clamps). If missing badge, there should be evidence of two holes, parallel on the horizontal axis, at the approximate center of the headtube.

Keep in mind, of course, the fact that someone might have NR'ed one of the lugged '80s models.

-Kurt

Paramounts have a serial numbering system unique among Schwinns. Exceptions are the asian built PDG "Series" Paramounts of the early nineties, the Serotta and Match built Paramounts of the lates nineties, and the tandem Paramounts.

Paramount serial numbers

Serial numbers are either on the left rear dropout, or on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell.

Very early Paramounts used "keyhole" lugs, followed by Nervex Professional lugs, Prugnat lugs, and Henry James investment cast lugs.

Waterford has a good Paramount history on its website HERE. Click on the different periods of Paramount history near the upper left corner of the page.