[CR]1971 Paramount 2 questions

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Ideale)

Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 12:05:26 -0400
From: "Fredrick Yavorsky" <fred@twistcomm.com>
In-reply-to: <3d6a2ea6.5c1.16838@qsilver.queensu.ca>
To: "classicrendezvous@bikelist.org" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]1971 Paramount 2 questions

Hi CR list folks, Looking for your collective expert advice. This concerns the condition of the frame on my new (to me) 1971 Paramount Serial No. K71112. Here's a link to photos:

http://www.twistcomm.com/Paramount/

I've found out that the original owner had done a repaint early in the bike's life. Although the bike looks good from afar, the silver paint and decals are rough. The top tube has many rough touchups where the brake cable and clamps collected moisture. There are various scrapes and chips here and there. This bike had several black anodized parts including the Campagnolo brake calipers, levers, seatpost, and Phil hubs. Lightened parts included the front derailleur bracket, chainrings, and black anodized Campagnolo cranks (which I replaced since I wanted the bike as a rider and didn't trust the cut out "Mexico" treatment.) I've just done a clean-up on the frame and parts, repacked all bearings, re-taped handlebars and new cable housings and brake pads. I rode the bike yesterday for the first time (with a set of clincher wheels...not these sewup rims, still need to find tires) and it was sweet!

My 2 questions:

€ Should I go for a repaint/restore? (And what's the consensus on adding braze-ons and water bottle mounting bosses to a vintage frame like this? This model doesn't have any eyelets on the drop-outs, either.) Would Waterford be the best place to go?

€ The cap on the seat says shows a crack in the brazing. (See close-up photo) Is it dangerous to ride it this way? Would this "defect" fall under the "Schwinn free frame repair warrantee?" (I think I know the answer but why not ask anyway?)

Thanks!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fred Yavorsky
Jenkintown, PA