1972 Schwinn Paramunt I got for free
#1
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If you're trying to make us jealous, you've succeeded admirably,
You'll have fun turning this bike back into a bike.

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Free is good! That should clean up nicely.
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That's a very good value.
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#6
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This bike was giver to me by a friends cousin. Her husband bought this bike new and used it a lot. We thought it was a P15-9 at first because of the rear rack but if you look you will see that there are no mounting eyelets for racks on the frame or the fork. The down tube cable guide seems original as it is Campy. The top tube guides and shifter boss are Shimano.The hubs and RD are Shimano 600 try color.The rims are Wolber TX PROFILE 32 spoke 700c. The shifters are Shimano 600 Tri Color 7spd indexed. the Crank is a Campy 50-40-30 triple of some kind. It is stamped 8V and a small 51 in a box along with size info. The pedals are also Shimano 600 try color. The bottom bracket is Campy.The brakes seem to be Gran-Compe Royal. The seat post is a fluted SR. I don"t know about the stem and handle bars. Head set is Shimano 600 as well. It seems very comfortable to ride in the upright position that results from the stem bar combination. I am going to give it a thorough cleaning and ride it as is for a while. I gave away a couple of bike to friends so I guess this was the unknown consequence for those actions. Not too bad all in all.
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Either that, or I'm due to have someone give me an Alex Singer. Yeah. That's the ticket.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#10
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In any event - and regardless of the hodgepodge of components, it's tough to beat a chrome Paramount in my book. And a free one? Holy cats! I didn't notice you mention the size - about a 58-ish, it looks like? Very cool gift - Karma is smiling down upon you.
#11
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https://www.kurtkaminer.com/TH_schwin...nt_models.html
Here is a discussion about the changes made to the P13-9 models in 1971/72. My bikes serial number is A7270 on both the frame and on the steerer tube on the fork. I think I may have the older style fork. I am going to do some research based on the serial number as I have time. I also think I may have the clear coat stripped and new decals put on and have it re clear coated. Time will tell.
Here is a discussion about the changes made to the P13-9 models in 1971/72. My bikes serial number is A7270 on both the frame and on the steerer tube on the fork. I think I may have the older style fork. I am going to do some research based on the serial number as I have time. I also think I may have the clear coat stripped and new decals put on and have it re clear coated. Time will tell.
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https://www.kurtkaminer.com/TH_schwin...nt_models.html
Here is a discussion about the changes made to the P13-9 models in 1971/72. My bikes serial number is A7270 on both the frame and on the steerer tube on the fork. I think I may have the older style fork. I am going to do some research based on the serial number as I have time. I also think I may have the clear coat stripped and new decals put on and have it re clear coated. Time will tell.
Here is a discussion about the changes made to the P13-9 models in 1971/72. My bikes serial number is A7270 on both the frame and on the steerer tube on the fork. I think I may have the older style fork. I am going to do some research based on the serial number as I have time. I also think I may have the clear coat stripped and new decals put on and have it re clear coated. Time will tell.
Please don't! There isn't any clearcoat, afaik. That is very-high quality, properly prepped-for, properly applied, triple-chrome plating. Some of the best chrome ever put on a bicycle frame/fork. The decals seem to be original. A bike is only original once! You will devalue it by doing what you are considering, imho.....
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Someone correct me if I'm wrong (which I am frequently), but I seem to remember that the only difference between the P13 and the P15 in 1972 was the triple P15 drive train vs. a double on the P13. (Paramount experts chime in here, please, because I don't want to perpetuate a falsehood.) I thought it wasn't until later that the geometry and frame was actually different.
In any event - and regardless of the hodgepodge of components, it's tough to beat a chrome Paramount in my book. And a free one? Holy cats! I didn't notice you mention the size - about a 58-ish, it looks like? Very cool gift - Karma is smiling down upon you.
In any event - and regardless of the hodgepodge of components, it's tough to beat a chrome Paramount in my book. And a free one? Holy cats! I didn't notice you mention the size - about a 58-ish, it looks like? Very cool gift - Karma is smiling down upon you.
P-15 = fifteen-speed "Touring" Paramount (27-inch wheels).
P-13 = Road Racing Paramount (700C).
Rarest one? A chrome-plated P-13, I believe. OP has a prime size as well (23-inch, right?).
I am jealous!
#14
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yes its a 23.
If it isnt clear coated then something else is pealing off that is clear. Ill see if I can get a couple of pictures of what is going on. I had a chrome 78 Le Tour 12.2 that also had a clear coating. It was removed and the bare unclear coated chrome looks awesome. Im just going to clean everything for now and see what I learn. I thank all of you for your input.
If it isnt clear coated then something else is pealing off that is clear. Ill see if I can get a couple of pictures of what is going on. I had a chrome 78 Le Tour 12.2 that also had a clear coating. It was removed and the bare unclear coated chrome looks awesome. Im just going to clean everything for now and see what I learn. I thank all of you for your input.
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#17
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Someone may have decided to "Protect" the chrome with a clearcoat. Try rubbing an inconpicuous area with acetone to see if it can be removed. It won't hurt the chrome but it will ruin the graphics, so don't go near those.
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Oh yeah, that's clearcoat. Sorry, I should have looked closer. Also, the 531 decal is not original (newer one) and the seat panel is up too high to be original, and the d/t decals would have been red initially, iirc, so someone already re-decaled this, and also had it clear-coated at some point. Go ahead and carefully re-do it (not that you needed my permission, but I stand corrected). I'll go back to my cave now....
Last edited by 753proguy; 05-12-13 at 08:15 PM. Reason: spelun' (agin)
#19
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Oh yeah, that's clearcoat. Sorry, I should have looked closer. Also, the 531 decal is not original (newer one) and the seat panel is up too high to be original, and the d/t decals would have been red initially, iirc, so someone already re-decaled this, and also had it clear-coated at some point. Go ahead and carefully re-do it (not that you needed my permission, but I stand corrected). I'll go back to my cave now....
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I would strip the clear polish and redecal w/o a new clearcoat. Must my 2 cents.
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I must of won the lottery. I have a 1974 Chrome P-13. It would be cool if it were super rare.
#23
my name is Jim
I've been told that 72 was the last year for full chrome Paramounts. If you have a full chrome '74 I think it must have been chromed by a previous owner. I think later Paramounts had chrome under the paint but it wasn't polished chrome. Paramount experts am I right on that?
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#24
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The chrome on painted '60s & '70s Paramount usually was only in the areas needed. The entire frame was not chromed. So just the headtube for the Nervex lugs and a partial chroming on the seat and chain stays.
Interestingly, the mid '70s built Schwinn/Panasonic frames were fully chromed (but not polished) under the paint. These included the Volare, Voyageur II and maybe the World Voyageur. In most cases the Chicago chrome was significantly better than the Japan chrome.
Interestingly, the mid '70s built Schwinn/Panasonic frames were fully chromed (but not polished) under the paint. These included the Volare, Voyageur II and maybe the World Voyageur. In most cases the Chicago chrome was significantly better than the Japan chrome.
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#25
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The chrome on painted '60s & '70s Paramount usually was only in the areas needed. The entire frame was not chromed. So just the headtube for the Nervex lugs and a partial chroming on the seat and chain stays.
Interestingly, the mid '70s built Schwinn/Panasonic frames were fully chromed (but not polished) under the paint. These included the Volare, Voyageur II and maybe the World Voyageur. In most cases the Chicago chrome was significantly better than the Japan chrome.
Interestingly, the mid '70s built Schwinn/Panasonic frames were fully chromed (but not polished) under the paint. These included the Volare, Voyageur II and maybe the World Voyageur. In most cases the Chicago chrome was significantly better than the Japan chrome.