Paramount info...simply add..
10-12-13, 08:13 PM
#126
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I just bought one for my 10 year old son... I was checking on an old cruiser at second hand sports store and noticed a nice campus green paramount with mtb riser bars and a wide seat. Long story short, I got the original seat, bars, brake levers, paramount tool kit with lots of tools, two spare stems, one is the original cinelli I think. The bike has all original parts down to tires and rear rack. From looking it over and doing a quick web search I found out I got him a 1973 built P15-9 for $300.00. My nice road bike is a 1979 Trek 710, I think he may have the nicer ride. I can't wait until spring. We are going to clean it up together, polish to chrome pieces replace cables and tires etc. over the winter. Hope nobody gets freaked that I'm putting this piece of "history" in the hands of a youngster. But this bike has very few miles. I saw it and thought it deserves to be enjoyed. Who better to enjoy a bike that an 11,12 or 13 year old. His younger brother says he is looking forward to riding it when big bro outgrows it -small frame. PS -I had to pass on the cruiser. A nice 3 speed Schwinn Corvette in that nice bronze-like red. I'll have to wait until another day to fulfill my 30+ year yearning for a US made Schwinn cruiser.
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10-12-13, 08:16 PM
#127
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Thanks MAV, I wanted that Corvette. I've been wanting a cruiser since I was paper boy throwing the Denver post way back. Something always comes up! In this case a cool opportunity to hook up my kids with a really neat bike. Not to mention the history of US manufacturing/peaking/outsourcing etc. Time will tell. I just hope I didn't pay too much. My wife was like "What did you just pay??"
10-12-13, 08:42 PM
#128
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Decal question - my Dad's P10-9 which he bought in 1976 had rainbow decals at the ends of the chrome area on the dropouts and on the seat tube, and the Reynolds decal, but no big Schwinn or Paramount decals. Normal or did he remove them at some point?
I've been surprised at how seemingly primitive the Campagnolo components were for the 1970's. You can see pretty much identical parts in their 1950's catalogs. The shifters are clamped on and only have a steel friction washer. The nut on the brake pad interferes with the brake release. The seat post has the bolts inaccessible on the top and is annoying as heck to adjust - there's a funny wrench in the tool roll that I think is for the purpose but it's still a pain. The Cinelli stem seems to be bored out of true, as well.
I've been surprised at how seemingly primitive the Campagnolo components were for the 1970's. You can see pretty much identical parts in their 1950's catalogs. The shifters are clamped on and only have a steel friction washer. The nut on the brake pad interferes with the brake release. The seat post has the bolts inaccessible on the top and is annoying as heck to adjust - there's a funny wrench in the tool roll that I think is for the purpose but it's still a pain. The Cinelli stem seems to be bored out of true, as well.
10-12-13, 09:31 PM
#129
Decrepit Member
Decal question - my Dad's P10-9 which he bought in 1976 had rainbow decals at the ends of the chrome area on the dropouts and on the seat tube, and the Reynolds decal, but no big Schwinn or Paramount decals. Normal or did he remove them at some point?
I've been surprised at how seemingly primitive the Campagnolo components were for the 1970's. You can see pretty much identical parts in their 1950's catalogs. The shifters are clamped on and only have a steel friction washer. The nut on the brake pad interferes with the brake release. The seat post has the bolts inaccessible on the top and is annoying as heck to adjust - there's a funny wrench in the tool roll that I think is for the purpose but it's still a pain. The Cinelli stem seems to be bored out of true, as well.
I've been surprised at how seemingly primitive the Campagnolo components were for the 1970's. You can see pretty much identical parts in their 1950's catalogs. The shifters are clamped on and only have a steel friction washer. The nut on the brake pad interferes with the brake release. The seat post has the bolts inaccessible on the top and is annoying as heck to adjust - there's a funny wrench in the tool roll that I think is for the purpose but it's still a pain. The Cinelli stem seems to be bored out of true, as well.
10-13-13, 07:03 AM
#130
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I met up with several C&Ver's yesterday for a ride on the Cape Cod Rail Trail, and low and behold scottryder has acquired a 1984 Paramount wearing the tricolor decals. This is the first time I've seen in person or ridden with another Paramount of the same vintage. Scott's is a dark metallic grey while mine is a black metallic.
Scott picked this up from another C&Ver who had ordered it and never built it--- so the paint is immaculate! Interesting the original owner ordered it with the round traditional head badge instead of the winged "P" decal.
These were taken at the turn around point by the Atlantic in Wellfleet. The wind was blowing at a steady 30+ mph off the water and pelting us with sand coming up the dune. Ouch!
Scott picked this up from another C&Ver who had ordered it and never built it--- so the paint is immaculate! Interesting the original owner ordered it with the round traditional head badge instead of the winged "P" decal.
These were taken at the turn around point by the Atlantic in Wellfleet. The wind was blowing at a steady 30+ mph off the water and pelting us with sand coming up the dune. Ouch!
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10-13-13, 09:31 AM
#131
Full Member
[IMG]
[/IMG]Looks like a beautiful ride. I took my 84 out yesterday (finally) for the first time.
[/IMG]Looks like a beautiful ride. I took my 84 out yesterday (finally) for the first time.
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10-13-13, 09:35 AM
#132
Junior Member
Thanks MAV, I wanted that Corvette. I've been wanting a cruiser since I was paper boy throwing the Denver post way back. Something always comes up! In this case a cool opportunity to hook up my kids with a really neat bike. Not to mention the history of US manufacturing/peaking/outsourcing etc. Time will tell. I just hope I didn't pay too much. My wife was like "What did you just pay??"
05-28-14, 11:52 PM
#133
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Does anyone really know if Don Mainland made all the chrome paramounts in 72? My 71 had a p40 designation on the bottom bracket which I assume stands for pioneer manufacturing (Mainlands shop), but my 1972 chrome p13-9 has no inscription on the bb at all. So I guess I am a little confused as to if the 72 is a Chicago Schwinn or a Wisconsin model. Any thoughts?? Thanks
05-29-14, 07:59 AM
#134
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I don't have one- If I ever get to looking for one- the one like Barretscv's old one or a Chrome one.
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05-29-14, 08:04 AM
#135
Decrepit Member
Does anyone really know if Don Mainland made all the chrome paramounts in 72? My 71 had a p40 designation on the bottom bracket which I assume stands for pioneer manufacturing (Mainlands shop), but my 1972 chrome p13-9 has no inscription on the bb at all. So I guess I am a little confused as to if the 72 is a Chicago Schwinn or a Wisconsin model. Any thoughts?? Thanks
My chrome '72 P15-9 is s/n M72274 (December), so I suspect it is a 1973 model year bike. Fully chromed Paramounts were not listed as an option for 1973, so I believe mine is one of the last chromed Paramounts made. It doesn't have any markings on the BB shell. Looking closely at the lugs, there are some faint file marks visible and I haven't seen those on chromed frames I know were brazed by Don Mainland.
Who knows?
11-15-14, 02:51 PM
#136
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More clues in the serial number puzzle; we now know that by May, 1984, the serial number had been moved to the BB shell.
hogykins, is the frame size 58cm? If so, we also know that an early version of the "self-describing" serial number was used in May, 1984. The size code is above the "Cinelli" cast in logo, and the E8466 date and production number is below it (580JE8466).
Fascinating.
hogykins, is the frame size 58cm? If so, we also know that an early version of the "self-describing" serial number was used in May, 1984. The size code is above the "Cinelli" cast in logo, and the E8466 date and production number is below it (580JE8466).
Fascinating.
I have an E84 with the serial number on the BB. 535 A above Cinelli and E84 120 below Cinelli. Just to throw a loop into things mine's an 'Elite Paramount'.
11-15-14, 03:18 PM
#137
Decrepit Member
Thanks, Jim. At least two May, 1984 Paramounts are consistent in that the serial number formats are the same.
03-19-15, 06:29 PM
#138
Full Member
Schwinn Paramount Bike 1984 Serial H84110 | eBay
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03-20-15, 07:49 AM
#140
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Forgive me for intruding on your thread, gentlemen, if you recognize that I'm not a Schwinn guy. But when I was researching my 1959 Allegro Special I came across the following anecdote that seemed to fit the chronology well:
Any thoughts? The Allegro, with its chromed Nervex lugs, Weinmann center pull brakes, campy gears and hubs, certainly looks a lot like a Paramount. But the story sounds a bit like a story, somehow.
... in 1954 Jack Kemp became the exclusive importer of Allegro bicycles to America.
Jack, along with his son Bobby soon began selling Allegro’s from both their retail store in Los Angeles and to dealerships across the Western US. To improve delivery, in time they would become one of the first importers to begin shipments via Swiss Air, something which was unheard of in that day in the bicycle industry. What was a 60 day, three tier shipping process (via steamer, rail and truck) was cut to only six days at a total cost of only $1.50 per bike. By 1959, Kemp was importing over 600 Allegros a year to the US – a huge quantity by 1950′s standards. Feeling the full impact of Kemp’s success,, Schwinn, in an attempt to reclaim the sales of high-end bikes lost due to this and other European lines, intentionally duplicated Allegro’s geometry on their Paramounts, – down to the double tapered rear stays.
Quoted from here:Allegro History 1960?s | Swiss Bicycles | A website about Swiss Bicycles
Jack, along with his son Bobby soon began selling Allegro’s from both their retail store in Los Angeles and to dealerships across the Western US. To improve delivery, in time they would become one of the first importers to begin shipments via Swiss Air, something which was unheard of in that day in the bicycle industry. What was a 60 day, three tier shipping process (via steamer, rail and truck) was cut to only six days at a total cost of only $1.50 per bike. By 1959, Kemp was importing over 600 Allegros a year to the US – a huge quantity by 1950′s standards. Feeling the full impact of Kemp’s success,, Schwinn, in an attempt to reclaim the sales of high-end bikes lost due to this and other European lines, intentionally duplicated Allegro’s geometry on their Paramounts, – down to the double tapered rear stays.
Quoted from here:Allegro History 1960?s | Swiss Bicycles | A website about Swiss Bicycles
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03-20-15, 09:15 AM
#141
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Forgive me for intruding on your thread, gentlemen, if you recognize that I'm not a Schwinn guy. But when I was researching my 1959 Allegro Special I came across the following anecdote that seemed to fit the chronology well:
Any thoughts? The Allegro, with its chromed Nervex lugs, Weinmann center pull brakes, campy gears and hubs, certainly looks a lot like a Paramount. But the story sounds a bit like a story, somehow.
Any thoughts? The Allegro, with its chromed Nervex lugs, Weinmann center pull brakes, campy gears and hubs, certainly looks a lot like a Paramount. But the story sounds a bit like a story, somehow.
Maybe @Scooper or @Metacortex could shed some light on this?
Rudi, thanks for posting this.
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03-20-15, 10:09 PM
#142
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Hmmmmmmmm.
Maybe @Scooper or @Metacortex could shed some light on this?
Rudi, thanks for posting this.
Maybe @Scooper or @Metacortex could shed some light on this?
Rudi, thanks for posting this.
My 1974 raleigh international looks a lot like a paramount too. Do you think schwinn was sub-contracted to make these for raleigh??? Of course not. Top end components and lugs / frame materials were commonly used across the board. There is no allegro paramount connection, sorry.
03-20-15, 11:47 PM
#143
Senior Member
A quote from that page:
During the 50’s, Schwinn started feeling the influence of bike racer and engineer Frank Brilando. Beginning in 1952, a few of the Paramounts were built with the new Nervex lugs, Campagnolo dropouts and, of course, the new-style shifting system, the derailleur.
According to the early Paramount Registry at least one Paramount was built using Nervex head lugs as early as 1947: Paramount RegistryOn a related note I happened to be in the area of Oscar Wastyn Cycles for the first time one afternoon last week and on the spur of the moment decided to stop in. I was immediately greeted by an older gentleman who introduced himself as... Oscar! I was a little at a loss for words but mentioned this was my first visit and that I had heard about the legendary Wastyn name, after which he spent at least a half an hour or more showing and telling me about all of the vintage bikes hanging on the walls (nobody else was in the store while I was there or I would have felt guilty wasting his time). In the end I shook his hand and said it was an honor to meet him. Next time I'll be a little more prepared and spend some money...
PS: He showed me most of the bikes seen on his Museum page: MUSEUM
03-21-15, 12:46 AM
#144
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I've got a 1970 P15, Campy NR all around, I got it without wheels so I made the switch to 700c Wienmann 519s with Pasela 700x32, Velo Orange fenders, 1970s Schwinn large saddle bag, just added a Peltcher front rack and a Crane RD/13-32 Suntour 6 speed. Reynolds 531 frame in Flamboyant Red with chrome chainstaysm head lugs, and fork legs. Future plans since the paint is in rough shape is to fully chrome, get repop decals, and part out the Campy for 1st Gen Dura Ace. This pic shows it with the NR RD/14-28 and a random old handlebar bag + DIY decalleur.
I just slapped together this 1991 (?) PDG 354 with spares to make a 1x8 errand bike. This one has those weird flat mounting pads for the DT shifters so I used a set of old 333 friction shifters sans the clamp. Series 5000 aluminum frame, funky blue with pink marble paint job, steel fork, not sure if its Reynolds. Stiff but smooth ride. Not sure how long I will hold onto this one.
I just slapped together this 1991 (?) PDG 354 with spares to make a 1x8 errand bike. This one has those weird flat mounting pads for the DT shifters so I used a set of old 333 friction shifters sans the clamp. Series 5000 aluminum frame, funky blue with pink marble paint job, steel fork, not sure if its Reynolds. Stiff but smooth ride. Not sure how long I will hold onto this one.
07-02-16, 06:46 PM
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Help Please...Is this Paramount a 1982? or Later?
Last edited by bike_forever; 07-04-16 at 08:23 AM.
03-03-18, 09:15 AM
#146
Full Member
@Scooper check out this Paramount on Ebay. Serial #8429 on drop out with size code on bottom bracket. Unfortunately cannot read date code.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schwinn-par...p2056016.l4276
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schwinn-par...p2056016.l4276
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03-03-18, 09:40 AM
#147
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^ I wonder if the seatpost can come out?
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03-03-18, 04:37 PM
#148
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@Scooper check out this Paramount on Ebay. Serial #8429 on drop out with size code on bottom bracket. Unfortunately cannot read date code.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schwinn-par...p2056016.l4276
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schwinn-par...p2056016.l4276
IMO, it is over priced for a poorly done and in poor shape re-paint with the wrong decals. The drive side chain stay should not have been painted. It is all polished chrome.
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03-03-18, 06:17 PM
#149
Full Member
That's a 1984 Standard and the letter in front looks to be possibly a "C" for March or possibly a "G" for July. It should have the rainbow color decals like my '83. About September '84 the decals were changed and by that point the serial number was moved completely to the BB shell. My '83 has nothing stamped in the bottom. Note that the cable guide is on the top of the BB. By the end of the year or early '85 cable routing was moved to the underside of the BB shell.
IMO, it is over priced for a poorly done and in poor shape re-paint with the wrong decals. The drive side chain stay should not have been painted. It is all polished chrome.
IMO, it is over priced for a poorly done and in poor shape re-paint with the wrong decals. The drive side chain stay should not have been painted. It is all polished chrome.
Curious
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03-03-18, 06:21 PM
#150
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1969 Paramount project
About a month ago I discovered this forlorn Paramount hanging by its rear rim under the eave of a shed. It was bought new by Jeff, late husband of a dear friend. Further inquiry revealed that Jeff was quite the cyclist and rode this bike from Seattle to San Francisco when it was new and he was young! She was going to run it to the dump! So it's now my bike and my responsibility to bring this bike back to its original condition, in honor of Jeff, as much as its current neglected state and my finances allow. What I know so far is that the serial number is H945, meaning 45th built in August 1969. It has Campagnolo Nuovo Record components and Weinmann brakes. The saddle is by Brooks. I have no reason to believe anything on it is not original other than the front spokes, which have rusted badly while the rear spokes are stainless. The rims appear identical but I have not unearthed a maker mark yet. Below is the steering head after some rust removal and polishing. I have been in touch with Richard Schwinn at Waterford and my aspiration is to have them refinish the frame as original while I enlist expertise as I can to restore the components, using the original pieces as much as possible. Trust me, much advice will be asked of this forum as the project proceeds. I have preserved a number of old bikes (see 1984 Peugeot P18T elsewhere), but I have never restored one before now. Wish it and me luck!
