Did Schwinn make many step-through models with chrome lugs? The ad was pretty vague, and unfortunately it was located 40 miles away

Not that I know of plus I'm not even sure the bike in the pic is a Schwinn it looks like a low end Japanese bike.

Could be a Paramount.

+1 Amazingly, there was a step through Paramount. I'd check it out just in case.

Here's a catalog example of one:

https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...0/1974_20.html

I can see a lot of differences between the one above and the catalog. First, the drop bar does not have a curve on it in the catalog. But I have never seen one in person, and I am surely not a Paramount expert.

I'd probably drive regardless, just because of the chrome lugs, fully expecting it to be a waste of time. But you never know. Even it is in not a Schwinn, it could be something interesting.

Here's another scan, saying the 1973 was the first year. So I think the Paramount is out. Still interesting. OK, I see there was a ladies Paramount back in the 1961 catalog as well. No picture unfortunately. Time to go look!

https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...0/1973_18.html

I think I see chrome stays. Drive!

Is the German Shepard included? I'd pick him up too!

IIRC, women's Paramounts had a straight top tube.

Looks very low end Chris. High flange hubs, centerpulls & stem shifters,, pretty commom 1970's stuff. Chris

Here is a step through paramount.

Wow, the chrome one is gorgeous!

I think either Nishiki and/or Centurion sold something like
that. I recall giving somone a frame that looked similar
in the last year that was a Japanese made product.

Schwinn sourced a lot of stuff from Giant at the end, so
possibly something like that? fer sure not a P'mount.

Looks like a ladies Fuji w/ a schwinn approved saddle

Ok time to spill the beans, I've been stringing you along... Those who guessed Paramount were correct of course, hats off to you! Those who said "junk" must say four Hail Huffords and get thee to a Findley-ry.

I was pretty certain it was a Paramount as soon as I saw the lugs, and got on the phone within a few hours of the ad going up. Ordinarily, that would be too late, but the photos were pretty bad, so I scored my second bike of the year.

Sadly, the condition is pretty rough, the headset is crumbling, and I'm afraid the steerer may be inoperable, but I'll take it slow. As it is, it has tons of character, and some interesting features that don't appear in the catalog description. I almost didn't go because of the curved tube that others noticed was un-Paramountlike, but I was pretty certain it couldn't be anything else. The serial number says it's a '73.

Very interesting. With that curved tube, I'm figuring it might possibly be a a one-off variant on the standard P65-9.

Does the upper headlug look as if it was massaged a few degrees downwards when the frame was built?

-Kurt

I think it will clean up well. Lots of patina, nothing looks like it can't be revived. First rule of scooping is you have to chase after some really sketchy deals to get the scores. I call it grab now, study later. Most scoopers out there have very little imagination, so the ability to read between the lines, spot some good features, and willingness to perhaps waste some time and gas is required. A well written ad for that bike, with good pics, and a reasonable description (just the word Paramount would have been more than enough), around here, it would have lasted 15 to 30 minutes tops.

I'm sure I wouldn't be able to spot the headlug manipulation you're referring to, you'll have to check it out in person some time. Another oddity is the wheel set, the rear is a steel S-6 strung to a Campy hub (maybe the original hub?) Brake slot have been filed to the max, and just reach the rims. I'm guessing it was modified for someone who needed a little extra cushion in back

Well said, and I was pretty surprised it didn't get sniped while I was driving, the other photos were a bit of a giveaway to me. You can actually see the 531 decal, though it could just have easily been a bike shop decal.




At any rate, I'm pretty happy with it, the last cheap Paramount I found was about 5 years ago, and I didn't buy it.


She was a sweetie, but not for sale. The owner had some nice chickens too

Curses, foiled again...........

Nice find, Chris. It should clean up real good. Doesn't MiamiJim have one of these?

This is a real oddity in Paramount land! Any thought that someone swapped out a set of tubes from a ladies Super Sport?

And here's what a mint P65-9 looks like in the same color:

Possibly, but the seat tube/top tube junction has a very unique lug. If it's a later addition, it was masterfully done.

I wonder if you turned the top tube-seat tube lug over (180 degrees), if it would work on the bent top tube version? Just a thought.

Good possibility, maybe the framebuilder slid it down the seat tube upside-down accidentally, then brazed the seat stays before noticing it. A quick trip to the tube bender, and problem solved!

What's up with the freewheel? Is that a 3-speed?

Yes, that's correct. It looks like there's room for a fourth cog on the inboard side, but I'm not sure about that or what brand it is. I haven't really cleaned anything yet, apart from the saddle with my butt.