1986 Paramount Garage Find
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1986 Paramount Garage Find
I bought this Paramount about 10 years ago and rode it once and it was just a bit too big at 56cm. So, it’s been hanging in my garage (climate controlled) ever since. My question pertains to the serial code and how to decipher it: 560C WK 86078
I used the guidance provided on the https://waterfordbikes.com/w/culture...amount-dating/ website. Based on the serial number it is an 86, however the code falls more in line with the guidance given for frames manufactured after mid-94. Self-Describing Serial Numbers
This system started in use during the mid- to 1994’s. It consisted of six components:
I used the guidance provided on the https://waterfordbikes.com/w/culture...amount-dating/ website. Based on the serial number it is an 86, however the code falls more in line with the guidance given for frames manufactured after mid-94. Self-Describing Serial Numbers
This system started in use during the mid- to 1994’s. It consisted of six components:
- Size Code: The size code represented the center to top seatmast measurement, rounded to the nearest 5mm. For example, a 55cm frame had a serial number starting with 550. Mountain bikes required rounding since they were built in one or two inch size increments. Occasionally, custom frames might not have the same size as indicated by the serial number.
- Product Code: This was not applied consistently. Up to some point in the early 90’s, it designated the fork length with forks short bikes getting an “A” progressing to large forks getting an “E”. Later, it was used to designate the kind of frame: A=Road, B=Off-Road, C=650C Road, E=Track.
- Company Code: In the 80’s the code indicated the type of bike, where K=road bike. Later, especially after the formation of Waterford, this letter indicated the company. K was for Paramount and L was for Waterford.
- Factory Code: A W followed to indicate a bike coming from the Waterford factory.
- Month Code: This one letter code corresponds to the month with A=January, B=Febuary and so on. Because I is not used, September=J and December=M.
- Year Code: This two digit code is the last two digits of the year – 96 is 1996.
- Sequence Number: This three digit number represents the nth frame and/or fork scheduled during the month.
Last edited by BMC_Kid; 09-20-22 at 01:47 PM.
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The other thing I am wondering about is if it has been repainted. I ask because the other Paramounts that I’ve seen from this period had Paramount on the top tube and this one doesn’t. The frame does have some touched up paint chips but the Dura Ace 7400 components are in almost like new condition as is the wheelset.
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WOW! You've got the Dura Ace stem and aero seatpost too!
I don't know enough about Paramounts of the era--mine was an '86, but sold as a frameset only, made out of Columbus SLX/SPX or SL/SP, and available in single, solid colors only--with a "Paramount" decal along the top tube, like you say. Right Chainstay was chromed. Mine had a different fork crown and no Columbus stickers on the blades.
The brake shoe holders were the "next gen" 7400 versions, with solid wheel guides. 7401 brake levers, without SLR.
Was this the next level down, from the "Paramount Design Group?" Or is it from a later year perhaps?
Get the 7400 aero pedals and you'll be good to go!
Beautiful bike. A real survivor.
I don't know enough about Paramounts of the era--mine was an '86, but sold as a frameset only, made out of Columbus SLX/SPX or SL/SP, and available in single, solid colors only--with a "Paramount" decal along the top tube, like you say. Right Chainstay was chromed. Mine had a different fork crown and no Columbus stickers on the blades.
The brake shoe holders were the "next gen" 7400 versions, with solid wheel guides. 7401 brake levers, without SLR.
Was this the next level down, from the "Paramount Design Group?" Or is it from a later year perhaps?
Get the 7400 aero pedals and you'll be good to go!
Beautiful bike. A real survivor.
Last edited by smd4; 09-20-22 at 02:30 PM.
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WOW! You've got the Dura Ace stem and aero seatpost too!
I don't know enough about Paramounts of the era--mine was an '86, but sold as a frameset only, made out of Columbus SLX/SPX or SL/SP, and available in single, solid colors only--with a "Paramount" decal along the top tube, like you say. Right Chainstay was chromed. Mine had a different fork crown and no Columbus stickers on the blades.
The brake shoe holders were the "next gen" 7400 versions, with solid wheel guides. 7401 brake levers, without SLR.
Was this the next level down, from the "Paramount Design Group?" Or is it from a later year perhaps?
Get the 7400 aero pedals and you'll be good to go!
Beautiful bike. A real survivor.
I don't know enough about Paramounts of the era--mine was an '86, but sold as a frameset only, made out of Columbus SLX/SPX or SL/SP, and available in single, solid colors only--with a "Paramount" decal along the top tube, like you say. Right Chainstay was chromed. Mine had a different fork crown and no Columbus stickers on the blades.
The brake shoe holders were the "next gen" 7400 versions, with solid wheel guides. 7401 brake levers, without SLR.
Was this the next level down, from the "Paramount Design Group?" Or is it from a later year perhaps?
Get the 7400 aero pedals and you'll be good to go!
Beautiful bike. A real survivor.
#7
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Frame decodes to 560=56 cm, C is the how long the fork steerer is ( there is a typo in the website should be 84 not 94} W is the Waterford factory, K= October, 86=1986 ,
078= 78 frame that month. Yes it has been repainted it should be a solid color . the fork has been replaced with a newer one. the color scheme and decals go to 1991 and the first OS Paramounts from Japan. It looks really good. I like the red white and blue paint scheme.
078= 78 frame that month. Yes it has been repainted it should be a solid color . the fork has been replaced with a newer one. the color scheme and decals go to 1991 and the first OS Paramounts from Japan. It looks really good. I like the red white and blue paint scheme.
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Frame decodes to 560=56 cm, C is the how long the fork steerer is ( there is a typo in the website should be 84 not 94} W is the Waterford factory, K= October, 86=1986 ,
078= 78 frame that month. Yes it has been repainted it should be a solid color . the fork has been replaced with a newer one. the color scheme and decals go to 1991 and the first OS Paramounts from Japan. It looks really good. I like the red white and blue paint scheme.
078= 78 frame that month. Yes it has been repainted it should be a solid color . the fork has been replaced with a newer one. the color scheme and decals go to 1991 and the first OS Paramounts from Japan. It looks really good. I like the red white and blue paint scheme.
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And be glad you ain't me, I can't go from a 66 to a 56 no matter how deluded I get and believe me, I've tried.
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Here is a link to the catalougs you need the 87 one Fork may be oroginal looking at the 87 Paramount photo. https://waterfordbikes.com/w/culture/schwinn-catalogs/
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Mine was Electric Blue. Buddy’s was pink. Saw a yellow one in the magazine ads.
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Edit: Yellow too.
Last edited by BMC_Kid; 09-20-22 at 03:56 PM.
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You got the better deal. Wonder how many Kestrels are still floating around? Haven’t seen one on this site.
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Yeah, I don’t think I would chance riding on one today of that vintage. Anyway, he crashed that one and bought another, then got into triathlons and the last time I saw him he was riding one of those weird looking bikes without a rear triangle, forgot what they were called.
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A unicycle.
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There are only three of us on this site (so far) that can boast of having both the Dura Ace stem—the most beautiful stem ever made—and seatpost on one bike. Maybe even less—the most beautiful quill stem ever made—with the aero seatpost. It’s an exclusive club.
Last edited by smd4; 09-20-22 at 08:10 PM.
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So I assume you're gathering information in preparation for the sale of this fine machine?
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Wow, nice machine. That is 56cm? I ride anywhere from 54-56, and that looks like a really tall 56cm! Maybe approach it with a 'French fit' mindset
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Frame decodes to 560=56 cm, C is the how long the fork steerer is ( there is a typo in the website should be 84 not 94} W is the Waterford factory, K= October, 86=1986 ,
078= 78 frame that month. Yes it has been repainted it should be a solid color . the fork has been replaced with a newer one. the color scheme and decals go to 1991 and the first OS Paramounts from Japan. It looks really good. I like the red white and blue paint scheme.
078= 78 frame that month. Yes it has been repainted it should be a solid color . the fork has been replaced with a newer one. the color scheme and decals go to 1991 and the first OS Paramounts from Japan. It looks really good. I like the red white and blue paint scheme.
56cm Paramount first ride by L Travers, on Flickr
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Sure thing, more than likely. I don't ride it, so why not let someone else appreciate it when I don't? Trying to gather information about it, however speculative, in the full light of day.
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Wow. I own 86055. Same 56cm size. And oddly enough, it also appears to have been repainted in red, white, blue although in a different manner and with metal flake paint. Pics do not do it justice. It is currently one of my favorite rides.
56cm Paramount first ride by L Travers, on Flickr
56cm Paramount first ride by L Travers, on Flickr
I am not hung up on non-original paint jobs on non-collectible bikes. I'm not saying that originality does not factor into the value, even for these low to mid-priced bikes it does but I'd rather have a bike that rides well and looks good, than one that has been rode hard and put up wet but is original. Again, just how I see things, YMMV.
If I didn't already have more than enough bikes to ride/rebuild (sacrilegious, I know), I probably would just keep it and give it a custom paint job, something like this with Paramount decals...
Last edited by BMC_Kid; 09-21-22 at 12:52 AM.
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I had a bad habit of using the Shimano aero stems on just about all of my builds beginning with the original Dura Ace AX, 600 AX, and the later Dura-Ace as on the Paramount. I have a drawer devoted just to stems and must have 4-5 spares, along with matching seat posts, and the rare handlebars. I'm a bit of a pack rat.
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This is a Paramount, man! Probably the nicest, highest quality ever built! Don't sell it short!
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I should have said, collectible in the sense of those grail bikes by the master builders, those that I am sure we all know and treasure and lust after. Those are the ones that we value originality, or should I say, I would. There are some that would decide not to buy my Paramount, now that they have an understanding that it has been repainted has anon-original fork, etc., and I am OK with that. Would it bother me, obvious not but I get it.