Scooper

I thought about it for a week before pulling the BIN trigger. What was I thinking?

It's pretty rough, but will be an interesting project. I'm thinking ivory with red and blue trim similar to THIS.

eBay auction photos:

noglider 

What's wrong with this?

Scooper

It's another project, Tom. I just couldn't help myself.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

The Man just bought a frame with the intention, from the outset, to build it using Major Taylor style Drops and adjustable track stem.....Have pity on the poor soul, he's obviously a glutton for punishment

noglider 

Thanks.

well biked

Can't wait to see it finished, Scooper.

elguicho 

I'm sure you'll do a great job. Keep us updated!

dbakl

I thought that a cool frame. However, finding the correct Paramount parts is near impossible, as I have been trying over 20 years with mine...

Scooper

I know; I realized up front that I'd never get it built with the correct 1938 Paramount parts. I'll be on the hunt for c. 1960 Campy Pista components (1036 high flange hubs, 1051 crankset) and Cinelli Mod 4 stem and Mod 18 bars. I'm thinking about having Ric Hjertberg build the wheels using the 1036 hubs and Ghisallo wooden tubular rims.

cudak888 

Send it to the Paramount Hoarders Anonymous Group to cure yourself. You know my address.

-Kurt

P.S.: At least it's a fixed gear I wouldn't be ashamed to be seen upon. Seeing that I'm a younger fellow in the general age range of many hipsters doesn't help - given that I'd rather be disassociated from them.

Scooper

Heh... Kurt, somehow I don't think sending it to Paramount Hoarders Anonymous would cure me; I'd just look for another early Paramount pista. Maybe there's a twelve step program I could join.

BobHufford

Congrats on the new project Stan! I'm sure you will do it proud.

Looking forward to how it turns out.

Best,

Bob

repechage

At the time I saw the black frame on ebay there was for a while an old white example, in a friendlier size for me, I have been good and not looked again for it. A man has to know his limitations.

JohnDThompson 

I'm trying to figure out what's going on with the fork ends. Are they brazed to the inside aspect of the fork blades rather than a slot in the middle of the blade lumen?

bikingshearer 

Step #1: Send me the Waterford 953 to make up for all your past transgressions. I can even drive over to pick it up, thereby saving you the hassle of shipping it. Just another one of the many services I perform for the betterment of others . . . .



I am looking forward to seeing it, Stan. Very, very cool.

pastorbobnlnh 

Stan, they just give you too much grief!

I say be creative and re-work the old frame in a way that best suits you. The Electra Sheriff's Star track hubs look pretty neat.



If you are interested in a pair of the Soma Major Taylor Repop bars, I would part with mine.

Scooper

Thanks, Bob. It was your early Paramount catalog that got me obsessing about getting one. We'll see how it turns out.

I'm not sure I've figured mine out yet, but I'll admit I sometimes feel like I'm tilting at windmills. The seat tube is a hair short, but that should make the TT about right.


I'll take a closer look when I get it, but all the early Wastyn Paramounts I've seen have the same treatment. Here's a closeup:



...and here's a chrome plated 1938 Paramount fork with the front wheel mounted:





Thanks, Rich, but you'll have to pry the Waterford from my cold, dead hands. I'm pretty excited about this project and will have to bump it in the queue.


Bob, they know I've got a thick skin.

Those Electra hubs are sharp! I'll check them out.

I may take you up on the Major Taylor bars. Let me get the frameset and start putting together a shopping list. I really like the Cinelli Mod 4 stem and Mod 18 bars, but I'm not sure where I can find them or how much they'll cost. There may be a reality check (sticker shock) if and when I find some of the bits I'll need.

sailorbenjamin

Once again I feel the need for a drooling, tongue wagging emoticon.

Captain Blight

There's a fellow on the Wooden Boat Forums named Ed Harrow; IIRC, he has a '38 (give or take a year) Paramount Track in quite original, unrestored condition. It's free to join, and though I've been banned from the site (I have a little lip problem from time to time) he and I were on excellent terms at the time of my banishment to The Island of Misfit Toys. Why not take the time to join and drop him a PM about your new toy?

pastorbobnlnh 

Stan,

One idea might be to refinish the frameset, and build it up with relatively inexpensive, yet readily available, nice looking bits, in order to make it a rider. Another approach might be to convince Chris at Velo Orange, to begin making Taiwanese replica versions of the needed parts.

Just out of curiosity, when it arrives, could we compare (pictures and measurements) the rear drops on your Paramount to the rear drops on my '39-40 New World?



Never mind, just dug up a picture and it is obvious they are very different. I forgot mine had adjuster screws.

noglider 

Stan, I think using ordinary parts (to the extent that they fit) is a nice idea so you can see how it rides before you begin the long journey of restoring the bikes. Do it for me, because I want to know how it rides!

Scooper

Thank you both; the idea of building it up with readily available parts while I try to scrounge up correct (or more correct) bits is a really good one. That way, I can enjoy the bike without breaking the bank (note the 1939 prices on these catalog pages).

Bob, the market for 30s Paramount replica parts has to be awfully small, so I don't know if V-O would be interested. OTOH, you never know until you've tried, so I'll e-mail Chris about the possibility.

Poguemahone

Sometimes the whiskey is just too fine. And bikes don't have to pass through your liver...

I saw that the other day, and spent awhile lookin'. Nice catch,and bound to be fun building it up,vintage parts or no...

noglider 

It's refreshing to see how slowly technology moves for track racing bikes. I love those catalog pictures.

rhm

Yeah, that about sums it up for me, too. What do I want with a track bike? I don't. But show me a 1938 Paramount track bike frame, and I just want it want it want it. Not a good sign.