'75 Paramount-the next project
 

My marginally obsessive Craiglist combing resulted in this project on a trip to central California this past Spring. GF wanted a C&V bike that has more climbing friendly gears than her 39-28 Centurion. This Paramount popped up, and while fairly complete, is pretty rough. The paint or not question is open, though if it fits and rides to her liking, we are leaning towards a quality orange repaint.

As found
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I...o/IMG_3921.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R...o/IMG_3924.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V...o/IMG_3926.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y...o/IMG_3928.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O...o/IMG_3929.JPG

Nice score.

While I can see the reason why to re-paint, really only the top tube looks bad. Have you cleaned and polished the frame yet? Schwinn paint can really be brought back to life. Clean, ScratchX, polish and wax, then decide. Maybe new decals and paint just the top tube.

Is the paint "crackly?" I ask because my Flamboyant Red '71 P13 has this effect. At first I didn't like it but it grew on me and I find it to be part of the character at this point. The effect can sort of be seen in this photo. The Coopertone on the left is a re-paint.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...Headbadges.jpg

I concur w/ Pastor Bob -- consider touching up the top tube. I have always liked the way Paramounts of that general vintage look, and red is always a great color. :)

You could have just got her a compact double for her Centurion.

(Good Lord! Did i actually just say that?!?)

But that paint's a mess all over, not just the top tube. I would have no compunction whatsoever about getting a full repaint for that bike, if I had the money to do it right.

Well, you have captured the minor conundrum of the paint. I like the patina to a degree, the abuse not so much. The plan is to service the bearings, new cables, and ride for a bit and then decide on a direction.

As far as the compact double on the Centurion, that's not on the option list. The drivetrain is from her race bike from "back in the day", except for the 39 tooth chain ring and cassette-accommodations for middle age-plus it looks good.

We are hoping, and it measures appropriately, for a good fit. Then we each have a P15-9 from the mid-70's to ride in hilly country. Mine was purchased as a repaint, so two repaint would not be horrible. It's about the ride, right?

I'd ride the snot out of that.