strossos

I don't usually post, so hopefully this is okay. I've been lurking a number of years though!

I came into possession of a 1973 Schwinn Paramount "Deluxe Touring" absolutely covered in gunk a few years ago. By far the most valuable bike I've overhauled and I'm wondering how I did. The orange bits are a personal preference to make it look like the old gulf racing livery, but are certainly not very vintage, any effect on value? Aside from the orange, I kept it as original as I could.


Images here!
https://imgur.com/a/2e5wgnY


Things that I did:
-Took apart just about every bolt and bearing on the bike and rebuilt. Cleaned parts with ultrasonic bath. Added frame saver. Kept as much of the original bike as possible.
-Rims were goners. Original hubs re-laced to new Sunlite rims by local bike shop. Still 27"
-Waterslide decals were badly damaged and replaced.
-Paint is original and overall good condition. There are some scuffs.
-Replaced chain, brake pads, brake hoods, cables, etc.

Bianchigirll 

KonAaron Snake 

Don’t take this as criticism, because it isn’t...

Are you just asking for a valuation, or effect on value from the consumables/saddle choices?

Are you showing off the bike? (Which you deserve, it’s a great job!)

You might be better off posting this to the main forum...

Anyway, since it’s the valuation forum, I think your choices in tape/cables will have minimal impact on its value, though most would probably prefer a more conventional build. It would be worth more with a brooks, but not enough to buy one.

I love the blue.

3alarmer 

...I would echo this sentiment. I very much hope that you have done all this because you want to ride it and cherish it, in which case "value" does not matter much. Value is market driven by time, demand, and location. Once you start paying a bike shop to rebuild your wheels, you quickly discover that you'll probably take a beating on resale if your original purpose was cashing in on a valuable bicycle. OTOH, these are fun to ride, and all that work you put into it will make it last a long time in your life as a bicycle rider.

If I had any constructive criticism to add, it would probably involve the length and routing of your cables and housings. But they work fine that way, and some people prefer them longer and routed differently than I route mine. So that's aesthetics.

tkamd73 

I would have routed the rear brake cable over the handlebar, but non the less, very nice build. The orange with the blue really pops.
Tim

big chainring 

Job well done. I had a Paramount track bike in that color when I was a kid. I would love to get a hold of a road bike. Paramounts bring good money. Yours I would value in the $1000 range.

trailangel

That is not a touring saddle. Put a Brooks saddle on the bike. Looks good.

Kilroy1988 

It looks like a solid build around a lovely frame! I'd say $1,000 is a reasonable value for what this bike would be currently worth on Ebay. As a rider, it may well turn out to be priceless, depending on what you're after!

-Gregory

strossos

Thanks for the feedback, and thanks to all who provided some insight in this thread!

I had grand dreams of riding it, but it turns out I had way more fun working on the overhaul. I'm in a tough spot where I feel I can't give the bike the love it deserves and it instead sits in storage. It just doesn't fit my riding style! I didn't focus on value when doing this project, so I'm glad to hear I didn't make decisions that seriously affect what it's worth. Now to figure out how I want to proceed.

Thanks again, and I appreciate the kind words!

repechage

Taller guys are cheap.
27" wheels are out of date.
triple front, Good.
Color, TEAM USA circa Munich 1972.