Schwinn Paramount
03-25-15, 10:37 AM
#1
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Schwinn Paramount
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.
I thought it to be a 1972 model. A friend thinks it is of the 1968 model run.
03-25-15, 10:50 AM
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welcome to the forum...... that was a popular bike in it's day.
Last edited by cb400bill; 03-25-15 at 11:31 AM. Reason: Edited for clarity as the thread has been moved.
03-25-15, 11:37 AM
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@Philly50, 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. 
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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 ●
● 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 ●
03-25-15, 11:38 AM
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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.]
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.]
03-25-15, 11:48 AM
#6
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Ooh Ooh... my favorite color for Paramounts! Please post some (lots) photographs of your Paramount.
03-25-15, 11:49 AM
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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.
Last edited by Metacortex; 03-25-15 at 11:57 AM.
03-25-15, 12:00 PM
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03-25-15, 01:12 PM
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Welcome to our wonderful fellowship of vintage bike lovers @Philly50. 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?
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?
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
03-25-15, 03:00 PM
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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.
Congratulations on a great ride.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
03-25-15, 04:38 PM
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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.
You said it is all Campag. -- additional bonus points if this includes the crankset.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
03-26-15, 09:07 AM
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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
Any feedback is welcome. Still trying to find out if the Mayfax brakes were original equipment.
Thanks, Philly 50
03-26-15, 09:43 AM
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@Philly50 - 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 @pastorbobnlnh - "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?"
So the cat above tells you there were three models. Which is yours?
Per @pastorbobnlnh - "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?"
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Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
03-26-15, 09:43 AM
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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.
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
03-26-15, 12:18 PM
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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.
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.
03-26-15, 05:42 PM
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either way, you should probably start a new thread rather than hijack this one.
03-26-15, 07:11 PM
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@Philly50, 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.
Last edited by Hoss Cartright; 03-27-15 at 05:19 AM. Reason: add link
03-26-15, 07:38 PM
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03-26-15, 10:12 PM
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That is seriously Kool.
__________________
● 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 ●
● 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 ●
