I am new to the forum as of today. The main reason I have joined is to try and find out more information about my Schwinn Paramount bicycle. The number stamped into the frame is K 808. It is painted in the Kool Orange color. Two front gears are numbered 51 and 47. There are five smaller gears in the rear. I purchased the bike in May of 1972, rode if for about one year. It has been stored since and therefore in nearly flawless condition. I no longer use this bike as I now ride a mountain bike for exercise. It is all Campy except for the center pull Mayfax brakes front and rear. Any and all information you might supply would be greatly appreciated.

I thought it to be a 1972 model. A friend thinks it is of the 1968 model run.

welcome to the forum...... that was a popular bike in it's day.

Ooh a paramount. That's a nice one! A real keeper!

[MENTION=403576]Philly50[/MENTION], welcome to the forums and please post pics! I don't think I've ever seen a Paramount in Kool Orange, but I'd like to.

With the serial number K808, I believe your bike was manufactured in October of 1968. Being built so late in the year, it is likely a 1969 model year bike.

This has been copied from the Waterford website.

The First Serialized Date Code

This system was used from January 1966 through 1969. It consisted of three components –

Month Code: This one letter code corresponds to the month with A=January, B=February and so on. Because I is not used, September=J and December=M.
Year Code: This one digit code is the last digit of the year – 6 is 1966.
Sequence Number: This two digit number represents the nth frame and/or fork scheduled during the month.

For example, H763 is the sixty-third frame or fork scheduled during August of 1967.]

Ooh Ooh... my favorite color for Paramounts! Please post some (lots) photographs of your Paramount.

K808 would mean the frame was the 8th one built in Oct. '68. Kool Orange was one of the colors available that year. I'd love to see some pics! Here is the catalog page:



While that may be true for other models, the Paramount was pretty much built to order, and as such I don't believe frames were stockpiled in advance of production. I'd say this is almost certainly a '68.

Good to know. Thanks!

Welcome to our wonderful fellowship of vintage bike lovers [MENTION=403576]Philly50[/MENTION]. Can't wait to see pictures of your Paramount.


The MAFAC centerpulls would have been a later change. Originally it would have come with either Weinmann centerpulls or for an additional charge, Campagnolo sidepull calipers and levers. Does your Paramount also have MAFAC levers? One final question: Does it have clincher or tubular (sewup) tires?

Definitely need pics! I'm all Paramounts-on-the-brain since I got one a couple of weeks ago and want to see more of them. And an orange 60s model? Bonus!

Congratulations on a great ride.

Congrats! The half-step gearing, such as your 51-47, was popular in the 1960s and gradually lost favor to 1.5-step, such as 52-42/14-24.
You said it is all Campag. -- additional bonus points if this includes the crankset.

Many of you have asked for photos of my Schwinn Paramount.

Any feedback is welcome. Still trying to find out if the Mayfax brakes were original equipment.

Thanks, Philly 50

[MENTION=403576]Philly50[/MENTION] - Welcome. Nice to pull out a great bike from the past!
So the cat above tells you there were three models. Which is yours?

Per [MENTION=42162]pastorbobnlnh[/MENTION] - "The MAFAC centerpulls would have been a later change. Originally it would have come with either Weinmann centerpulls or for an additional charge, Campagnolo sidepull calipers and levers. Does your Paramount also have MAFAC levers? One final question: Does it have clincher or tubular (sewup) tires?"

Looking forward to the pictures.

The MAFAC brakes were not original. Paramounts came with Weinmann centerpull calipers or could be upgraded to Campagnolo Record/Nuovo Record sidepull calipers and levers for an extra $50.

Not a Waterford Paramount, but I just picked up a very good condition Japanese made (by Panasonic) 1992 Paramount PDG Series 7 frame for a screamer price of $120 from a local Craigslist seller. He had bought it several years ago to build up himself, but now medical issues have put his cycling on possibly permanent hiatus, so he's selling most of what he's got. He also has a Colnago Super frame, a Masi Columbus frame that he built as a single speed, and a 3Rensho complete bike (which he says he's not selling on the hope he can one day resume biking, that's the one he'll keep). Anyways, I could not resist this frame, given it's being my size, local, in great condition, and the low asking price. I was almost embarrassed to offer him only $120 initially, and pleasantly surprised when he accepted it on the spot. Maybe because he's located a bit out in the boonies, and doesn't want to ship anything, demand has been lower than it should be for his stuff, relative to it's quality.

Vintage Paramount pdg frame

My initial built plans are to build it with wide range gearing, with a compact triple up front, and Shimano 9 or 10 speeds in the back. I am open to suggestions.

Japanamounts are nice and all, but they're really a different creature to the american made ones.

either way, you should probably start a new thread rather than hijack this one.

link to high resolution image https://www.jims59.com/vintageschwinn...15_rt_2014.jpg

Quit torturing me!

That is seriously Kool.