For those who haven't followed the saga, I finally got to ride my re-birthed '38 Paramount today. It was good.
I bought the bike about 1974, for a pittance, with the original hubs but not much else. For 30 years, I have ridden and loved the bike, dressed in Mufti (black rattlecan), in all sorts of weather. Disguised further with very functional road bars/stem, Normandy-hub front wheel, and ASC in the back. A hoot, much too much fun to give up. But gradually accumulated parts over the decades.
Finally, after meeting Richard Schwinn at Cirque, I decided to take the plunge and get her repainted/restored. I am sure that she'll largely be a wall-hanger from her on out, because she's a little delicate now, and far too pretty for rough stuff. But, Richard and the gang did a fine job. She looks all original now, but those as anal as me will recognize that the pedals and bar plugs aren't quite right. I hope that they also notice that the spokes are right (15/17 Torrington plated, thanks to Ted Ernst), the spoke nipples are about right (22 mm, thanks to Larry Black), and the Baruzzo wood rims look right. The hub flanges are the size of freewheel cogs. To my eyes, the 3/16" skip-tooth stuff feels heavy and clunky, but it is the Right Stuff. The B17 Narrow saddle is the right model, but alas too fragile for riding. And the cranks I got from a '53 "donor" paramount have almost fabulous chrome.
Today, after a nice picnic with Larry Black and some new friends, I took it out for a couple of miles on the Capital Crescent trail (WashDC area). It is good. I'm no longer real keen on riding a 78 inch gear (26x9), but I'll do it again at Cirque, where she will be shown. And I'll ride her more than I thought - as long as the route's not too hilly or rough or crowded.
Harvey "still feeling good about the decision" sachs mcLean va.