Here are the specs for the 1972 Paramount, from a copy of the factory brochure:
P-13, road racing, 14-16-18-23-26 (UGLY!) with 49/52 chainrings, FW brand not specified. P-15, tourist, 14-16-19-25-31, with 36-49-54.
FWIW, I ride with what works for riding, and drop back to the factory specs on mine once a year for Cirque -- if then. As I get older (turn 60 tomorrow), I find that my ego does not benefit from the pure display of bigger CW... I can't use them. :-(
I don't know the Bicycle Research cog removing tool. I have never had a good experience with the type that uses two rods, with a block on each end that had two nubs that grab the chain. By the time I get to cracking FW cogs, they are more resistant to breaking loose than the rods are to bending and twisting. I just use a pair of home-made chain whips, with one mounted in the vise.
harvey sachs mcLean va
Jerome & Elizabeth Moos wrote:
> This is on a nearly all-original 1972 chrome Paramount, so I don't
> really want to change the original 52-42 chainrings. Besides, I need
> the lowest practical gear, so I want the 42T ring, which would require
> a 47T large for a 5T spread, which would look REALLY non-original.
> I'm sure the original FW wasn't 14-31, so changing to a 14-28 would be
> at least be closer to original.
>
> I presume a FW vice helps in cog removal. The one I'm familar with,
> Bicycle Research I think, clamps in a bench vice and has two short
> chains that wrap the large cog, or in this case one of the the other
> cogs, since I'll be removing the large cog. Anyone know of another
> type that works better?
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos
>
> HM & SS Sachs <sachs@erols.com> wrote:
>
> Jerry Moos posted:
>
> Speaking of Regina FW's, anyone know a source for a 28T inside
> cog? The cogset I salvaged from the trashed body last weekend
> turns out to be well spaced for my use except that the inside 31T
> needs to be changed to a 28T, about the most an NR RD can be made
> to handle.
>
> ++++++++++++++++
>
> Two observations, Jerry -
>
> 1) Getting the inside cog off, particularly a large one, can be
> quite difficult - even when you remember that it has LH threading.
> Lot more lever arm there for tightening it up while riding than on
> the other end (13 or 14), and time takes its toll, too. I had one
> go wavy not too long ago.
>
> 2) We have used 13-31 quite successfully with a NR and a half-step
> chainring set-up. Indeed, my Beloved Spouse's bike still has that,
> with a 40/45 front split. She has not found it a problem to be
> limited to a 93 top gear.
>
> your ! mileage may vary
>
> harvey sachs