All Original Unrestored 1972 Paramount in Chrome
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All Original Unrestored 1972 Paramount in Chrome
Hello all. I must pass along this 1972 Schwinn Paramount. I am curious to hear forum member’s opinions on value of this bike in the current condition.
This is a full chrome, full Campy, all original, unrestored 24” 1972 P13-9 Schwinn Paramount.
Serial # L72207.
All evidence suggests this is a low miles bike with the original factory tires. The tires are Clement Campionato del Mondo sew ups, which were listed as an upgrade option on the 1972 Paramount order form. Also, this bike came with a Joseph Lucas Cyclometer that displays a total of 303 miles.
All components are original Campagnolo NR, including the brakes/levers, which were also an upgrade option on the order form. Even the brake shoes are Campagnolo. The stem and bars are Cinelli.
I think the bike is in excellent unrestored condition. All decals and stickers are fully intact. The chrome is great. There are specks of very light surface rust throughout the frame, but they come out with simple cleaning/polishing. There is also light surface rust around the bottom bracket. I feel confident surface rust will polish out. The Brooks saddle is supple with some minor scuffs/scratches. There is a scratch/nick in the top of the stem. The brake hoods are rotten/melted.
I have lightly cleaned the frame (with great care around the decals and stickers) just to get it more presentable for pictures. Currently, I plan to leave the bike in this condition for the next owner to restore to their wishes.
Another interesting detail – the tubes are stamped. The downtube seems to have “REYNOLDS” below the lug. And the forks have “BUTTED” below the crown. All stampings are very faint. You may be able to see the stamping on the downtube in one of the pictures.
I have read some of the recent Paramount threads here. So, I believe I have a general idea of the value range. But I am uncertain of how the all-original and unrestored condition would impact the estimates.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
This is a full chrome, full Campy, all original, unrestored 24” 1972 P13-9 Schwinn Paramount.
Serial # L72207.
All evidence suggests this is a low miles bike with the original factory tires. The tires are Clement Campionato del Mondo sew ups, which were listed as an upgrade option on the 1972 Paramount order form. Also, this bike came with a Joseph Lucas Cyclometer that displays a total of 303 miles.
All components are original Campagnolo NR, including the brakes/levers, which were also an upgrade option on the order form. Even the brake shoes are Campagnolo. The stem and bars are Cinelli.
I think the bike is in excellent unrestored condition. All decals and stickers are fully intact. The chrome is great. There are specks of very light surface rust throughout the frame, but they come out with simple cleaning/polishing. There is also light surface rust around the bottom bracket. I feel confident surface rust will polish out. The Brooks saddle is supple with some minor scuffs/scratches. There is a scratch/nick in the top of the stem. The brake hoods are rotten/melted.
I have lightly cleaned the frame (with great care around the decals and stickers) just to get it more presentable for pictures. Currently, I plan to leave the bike in this condition for the next owner to restore to their wishes.
Another interesting detail – the tubes are stamped. The downtube seems to have “REYNOLDS” below the lug. And the forks have “BUTTED” below the crown. All stampings are very faint. You may be able to see the stamping on the downtube in one of the pictures.
I have read some of the recent Paramount threads here. So, I believe I have a general idea of the value range. But I am uncertain of how the all-original and unrestored condition would impact the estimates.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
#3
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Wow.
The market is a little soft but I would think $1500 all day long on eBay, maybe a little more. If that was a 23" I would be so tempted.
The market is a little soft but I would think $1500 all day long on eBay, maybe a little more. If that was a 23" I would be so tempted.
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Even if the tires were an option, I don't think they came with the bike.
Same with cycle meter.
Nice saddle!
Nice bike!
Same with cycle meter.
Nice saddle!
Nice bike!
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Thanks for the comments.
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I'm just saying .... the glue job is sloppy.... so I don't think those tires came with the bike. I've ridden those tires before and I loved them.
I loved the older Brooks Pro saddles.... they where a thicker piece of leather than available today.... and that one looks in really good shape.
I loved the older Brooks Pro saddles.... they where a thicker piece of leather than available today.... and that one looks in really good shape.
#9
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Beautiful. Based on recent sales I’ve seen, I would think it should bring $1200-1500.
#10
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I'm just saying .... the glue job is sloppy.... so I don't think those tires came with the bike. I've ridden those tires before and I loved them.
I loved the older Brooks Pro saddles.... they where a thicker piece of leather than available today.... and that one looks in really good shape.
I loved the older Brooks Pro saddles.... they where a thicker piece of leather than available today.... and that one looks in really good shape.
Being that these were available options when the bike was purchased and the patina is correct, I don't think it would be dishonest to claim them as original equipment.
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Yeah, 1200-1500 seem about right..nice looking BTW.
Ben
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Since you've already gotten some reasonable and serious answere answers... Nothing, people go for subtle these days, just look at all the matte black on black fancy carbon bikes.
Chrome, anti-environment, not something to be proud of these days... Too bad , send it up here, maybe if I repaint it, I'll be able to give it away.
PS Flip that front wheel around before you take any more pics...
Chrome, anti-environment, not something to be proud of these days... Too bad , send it up here, maybe if I repaint it, I'll be able to give it away.
PS Flip that front wheel around before you take any more pics...
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Since you've already gotten some reasonable and serious answere answers... Nothing, people go for subtle these days, just look at all the matte black on black fancy carbon bikes.
Chrome, anti-environment, not something to be proud of these days... Too bad , send it up here, maybe if I repaint it, I'll be able to give it away.
PS Flip that front wheel around before you take any more pics...
Chrome, anti-environment, not something to be proud of these days... Too bad , send it up here, maybe if I repaint it, I'll be able to give it away.
PS Flip that front wheel around before you take any more pics...
Thanks for the tip on the tire - I had not noticed that detail.
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I would say it original basedon the condition of the nickel chrome no real marks or blemishes or signs of re-polishing. So I suspect as others the that it came with the minor flaws and optional parts changes from the dealer. Not uncommon to see a bit of b plus level work setup on a A plus bike that came out of a Schwinn dealer during the boom era.
Last edited by zukahn1; 07-18-19 at 08:28 PM.
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Turtle wax chrome cleaner/rust remover, slather it on , let sit, slather again, scrub with brass bristle brush, it will take most of the rust off if you stick with it. Results can be excellent.
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Great tip. Thanks! Though I am leaning towards letting this bike go out the door as is, I’ll definitely pick up that product for future chrome clean up.
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Myself I would do little or nothing with the chrome the near perfect chrome with light petina is a lot of this bikes appeal. IMHO it actual adds a couple of Hundred to the bikes value. On a vintage bike you can fix correct pretty mutch everyhing but nice vintage chrome.
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Chrome on the BB should not be left to worsen, it's going to ruin more if left unchecked. Patina is one thing, cancer is another especially when it comes to chrome.
Last edited by merziac; 07-20-19 at 11:28 PM.
#19
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I agree, personally I never like to leave rust unattended. I think a short soak in oxalic acid (then neutralize with a baking soda rinse) would remove that rust on the bottom bracket easily.
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I would encourage you to do a cursory cleanup on this, especially if you are going for top dollar. There is also a big difference between unrestored with patina and grungy with rust. I would get rid of the disgusting hoods, take the reflectors off the wheels, give it a good wipe down and at least hit the rust with rust remover wipedown to slow it down for now. Most of us here like to do all that ourselves with our own special regimen, but I don't think you'll get top $$$ here. The better it presents, the more you will get on ebay, CL, FB market or whatever and I guarantee even the least savvy buyer is likely to balk at rust.
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You should have been at Bob's today.
Last edited by merziac; 07-21-19 at 12:29 AM.
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I would encourage you to do a cursory cleanup on this, especially if you are going for top dollar. There is also a big difference between unrestored with patina and grungy with rust. I would get rid of the disgusting hoods, take the reflectors off the wheels, give it a good wipe down and at least hit the rust with rust remover wipedown to slow it down for now. Most of us here like to do all that ourselves with our own special regimen, but I don't think you'll get top $$$ here. The better it presents, the more you will get on ebay, CL, FB market or whatever and I guarantee even the least savvy buyer is likely to balk at rust.
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This looks to be one of the last of Wanda's bikes. Check very carefully about the serial numbers and the matching of them, and then think about what you have. This one of the jewels if I am thinking correctly. Smiles, MH
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Thanks, Mad Honk. I had to read up on Wanda - wasn’t familiar with that piece of history. Though I have read here that all 1972 chrome paramounts frames were subbed out to Don Mainland at Pioneer Manufacturing in Racine, WI. But I don’t think there are any markings to confirm where it was actually built.
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