Schwinn Superior
02-03-12 | 12:05 PM
#1
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From: Texas
Schwinn Superior
Received a call from an old lady about wanting to get rid of an "old" Schwinn. She had done a lot of research on it and knew enough about it to not sell it for $20 bucks 
, so $200 bucks later this is what I got. Size is around 59cm to the top of seat tube.
Number on the badge looks to be double stamped and it's 2702
number on the rear drop is 20302
, so $200 bucks later this is what I got. Size is around 59cm to the top of seat tube.Number on the badge looks to be double stamped and it's 2702
number on the rear drop is 20302
Last edited by guzziee; 02-03-12 at 12:30 PM.
02-03-12 | 12:28 PM
#4
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From: Texas
Only one with this color I've seen right now was an 83 model provided by rekmeyata on the "saved from the dump" thread, There's also one with the same color on feebay right now.
Here's a brief catalog info on it: https://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1983...per_Sport.html
Something different on the catalog besides the color and most of the components is that it mentions Reynolds "531c" tubing and nuovo record derailleurs.
Here's a brief catalog info on it: https://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1983...per_Sport.html
Something different on the catalog besides the color and most of the components is that it mentions Reynolds "531c" tubing and nuovo record derailleurs.
02-03-12 | 02:33 PM
#7
Decrepit Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,488
Likes: 92
From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
I believe the early eighties Superior framesets were built by Don Mainland in Racine, Wisconsin, using 531 tubing and Nervex Professional lugs from inventory left over from Chicago Paramount production after Ed Schwinn closed down the Chicago cage and moved Paramount production to Waterford.
Don's brazing and framebuilding skills were close to perfection. That's a very nice find for $200.
Don's brazing and framebuilding skills were close to perfection. That's a very nice find for $200.
02-03-12 | 04:34 PM
#8
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,045
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From: Lancaster County, PA
Bikes: '39 Hobbs, '58 Marastoni, '73 Italian custom, '75 Wizard, '76 Wilier, '78 Tom Kellogg, '79 Colnago Super, '79 Sachs, '81 Masi Prestige, '82 Cuevas, '83 Picchio Special, '84 Murray-Serotta, '85 Trek 170, '89 Bianchi, '90 Bill Holland, '94 Grandis
Yes, 531C was the new name for "regular" 531. The bike is from right around the time Reynolds changed the decal types, plus decal stocks deplete at different rates, accumulate in odd drawers, etc. It's the same "stuff."
02-03-12 | 08:23 PM
#9
www.theheadbadge.com
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southern Florida
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
You stinker - what a find!
It's a 1982 serial, but the paint job indicates it was intended to be an '83. Would you be willing to submit it to the Paramount/Superior Registry on The Headbadge?
At least one was a Paramount done up to look like a Superior - the '81/82 catalog bike.
-Kurt
It's a 1982 serial, but the paint job indicates it was intended to be an '83. Would you be willing to submit it to the Paramount/Superior Registry on The Headbadge?
I believe the early eighties Superior framesets were built by Don Mainland in Racine, Wisconsin, using 531 tubing and Nervex Professional lugs from inventory left over from Chicago Paramount production after Ed Schwinn closed down the Chicago cage and moved Paramount production to Waterford.
-Kurt
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02-03-12 | 08:49 PM
#10
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Texas
You stinker - what a find!
It's a 1982 serial, but the paint job indicates it was intended to be an '83. Would you be willing to submit it to the Paramount/Superior Registry on The Headbadge?
At least one was a Paramount done up to look like a Superior - the '81/82 catalog bike.
-Kurt
It's a 1982 serial, but the paint job indicates it was intended to be an '83. Would you be willing to submit it to the Paramount/Superior Registry on The Headbadge?
At least one was a Paramount done up to look like a Superior - the '81/82 catalog bike.
-Kurt
.
Last edited by guzziee; 02-03-12 at 09:18 PM.
02-03-12 | 08:53 PM
#11
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,488
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From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
p,
This is what I've unearthed over the last few years of digging around in the Schwinn Lightweight world.
Look for a four digit stamping in the headbadge. It will be a Julian date, the first three digits will be the sequential day of the year and the last will the the last year of the decade. "1352" would be the 135th day of a year ending in "2" (1982 in this case).
The early '80s Schwinn Superiors were built using frames and frame components (Nervex lugs, Campagnolo fork ends and Reynolds 531 tubing) that were left over after Schwinn shut down the Paramount area of the Chicago plant (due to quality issues) in 1979. They were built by a Schwinn sub-contractor in Racine, Wisconsin (Don Mainland). Don (and partner Roger Nelson) had a machine shop that built about 40% of the Paramount frames during the '70s bike boom. I've heard (but have not confirmed) that the chromed Paramount frames were all built by Don as the brazing was better (less visible after chroming) than those that were done "in house". The Schwinn Paramounts came back in 1983 as full custom bikes built at the new Paramount factory in Waterford, Wisconsin -- what has evolved into Waterford Precision Cycles (separated from the Schwinn company at the 1993 bankruptcy and co-owned by Richard Schwinn).
There were at least three different colors (orange, gun-metal-grey, and black) and a variety of decal styles. They were equipped with Campagnolo GS (Gran Sport) -- 2nd tier Campy components.
That's about all I know in regard to specs. Hope that helps.
Bob Hufford
Springfield, MO
This is what I've unearthed over the last few years of digging around in the Schwinn Lightweight world.
Look for a four digit stamping in the headbadge. It will be a Julian date, the first three digits will be the sequential day of the year and the last will the the last year of the decade. "1352" would be the 135th day of a year ending in "2" (1982 in this case).
The early '80s Schwinn Superiors were built using frames and frame components (Nervex lugs, Campagnolo fork ends and Reynolds 531 tubing) that were left over after Schwinn shut down the Paramount area of the Chicago plant (due to quality issues) in 1979. They were built by a Schwinn sub-contractor in Racine, Wisconsin (Don Mainland). Don (and partner Roger Nelson) had a machine shop that built about 40% of the Paramount frames during the '70s bike boom. I've heard (but have not confirmed) that the chromed Paramount frames were all built by Don as the brazing was better (less visible after chroming) than those that were done "in house". The Schwinn Paramounts came back in 1983 as full custom bikes built at the new Paramount factory in Waterford, Wisconsin -- what has evolved into Waterford Precision Cycles (separated from the Schwinn company at the 1993 bankruptcy and co-owned by Richard Schwinn).
There were at least three different colors (orange, gun-metal-grey, and black) and a variety of decal styles. They were equipped with Campagnolo GS (Gran Sport) -- 2nd tier Campy components.
That's about all I know in regard to specs. Hope that helps.
Bob Hufford
Springfield, MO
02-03-12 | 09:50 PM
#13
Chrome Freak
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 26
From: Kuna, ID
Bikes: 71 Chrome Paramount P13-9, 73 Opaque Blue Paramount P15, 74 Blue Mink Raleigh Pro, 91 Waterford Paramount, Holland Titanium x2
That's a nice find. I'd pay $200 for that in a heartbeat.
__________________
1971 Paramount P-13 Chrome
1973 Paramount P-15 Opaque Blue
1974 Raleigh Professional Blue Mink
1991 Waterford Paramount
Holland Titanium Dura Ace Group
Holland Titanium Ultegra Triple Group
1971 Paramount P-13 Chrome
1973 Paramount P-15 Opaque Blue
1974 Raleigh Professional Blue Mink
1991 Waterford Paramount
Holland Titanium Dura Ace Group
Holland Titanium Ultegra Triple Group
02-03-12 | 10:01 PM
#14
www.theheadbadge.com
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southern Florida
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Could be, but Bob Hufford posted this Superior history in THIS THREAD:
Bob has usually done his homework before making contributions like this, and I've heard essentially the same thing from other sources.
Bob has usually done his homework before making contributions like this, and I've heard essentially the same thing from other sources.
There are enough orange ones out there. The '83s are unusual.
How unusual? I'd gladly trade my '73 Paramount frameset for my local buddy's orange 1982 Superior frameset - so I could trade for the '83, if the OP had preferred an orange one. Unfortunately, the local '82 is a few centemeters taller.
-Kurt
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02-04-12 | 06:17 AM
#16
Freewheel Medic
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13,569
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From: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
I agree with Kurt. This is a rarely seen color on a somewhat rare bike. I love the font on the decals.
The few rust spots should be easy to cleanup and protect from this point on.
The few rust spots should be easy to cleanup and protect from this point on.
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
02-04-12 | 08:44 AM
#17
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From: Texas
02-04-12 | 08:45 AM
#18
Uff Da!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,192
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These seem to be a fairly rare bike. I've been looking for one in my size for years with no luck.
As with PastorBob, I really like the Art Deco looking font of the decals.
Great find!
As with PastorBob, I really like the Art Deco looking font of the decals.
Great find!
Last edited by Sierra; 02-04-12 at 10:22 AM.
02-04-12 | 08:56 AM
#19
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: old ones
You might be interested in this thread about one
of these that was apparently factory repainted
as a Paramount. If it's your size, way cool find.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...winn-Paramount
If not, I want it.
Bet you can deal with that
amount of rust and still ride the snot out of it.
Make sure to treat the inside with some kinda stuff like:
of these that was apparently factory repainted
as a Paramount. If it's your size, way cool find.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...winn-Paramount
If not, I want it.
Bet you can deal with thatamount of rust and still ride the snot out of it.
Make sure to treat the inside with some kinda stuff like:
02-04-12 | 09:09 AM
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
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From: Atlanta
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Could be, but Bob Hufford posted this Superior history in THIS THREAD:
Bob has usually done his homework before making contributions like this, and I've heard essentially the same thing from other sources.
Bob has usually done his homework before making contributions like this, and I've heard essentially the same thing from other sources.
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