Hi Scott ,
Size ! What size ?? Always mention size ! Every single time you mention your search for a fork, mention size. You never know who might remember they have what you need, in the back of the basement.
Five or ten years ago I would have felt EXACTLY the way you are feeling. But now I know that there really are new-old-stock Nervex Professional fork crowns out there, and new-old-stock Reynolds 531 fork blades, and new-old-stock Campagnolo 1010 front dropouts (with eyelets). And of course, there is also the brand new , precision cast , NEWVEX ! You could easily have a new fork made for you. If you wanted a longer steerer tube, to raise the stem, or if you wanted to use any of the new threadless stuff, that would be easy too.
HOWEVER, more importantly, you CAN buy a lonely original Paramount front fork. They DO turn up fairly regularly.
Here is what you need to know. And people seem to NOT know this. So I keep trying to educate people. Maybe you already know this. MANY folks do not know it.
If people know anything about the "classic" 1970s Paramounts, they seem to know there was what Schwinn called a "Road Racing", and what Schwinn called a "Touring". They tell them apart by the top tube brake cable housing stops, and by the eyelets on the dropouts. Everybody seems to "know" this. Except the people who know it's WRONG. The real situation is more interesting. But it's easy to understand once you know the facts. And it helps you, Scott !
Schwinn began the derailleur Paramounts in late 1959. So 1960 was a whole new year for the new model. From that time until 1971-ish , the Paramounts for road use all had the same frames and the same front forks. They all had the same wheelbase (for any particular frame size). They all had eyelets. They all had brake cable housing stops brazed onto the top tube.
Around 1971 , the NEW and different P13 came out. It had the shorter wheelbase, tighter fork rake, no eyelets on the dropouts, and nothing brazed onto the top tube. But the old frame went right on being made !! Now it was labeled the "Touring" P10 & P15.
The POINT ?? It should not be too difficult for you to find something like a 1973 "Touring" Paramount front fork. This will have exactly the same specifications as your original 1965 P13 "Road Racing" Paramount front fork !!
If you want to match the hand-laid painted stripes . . . Hope for a miracle. But finding a later front fork from the 1970s should not be too terribly tough.
Do an eBay search, once a week, for : Schwinn Fork -BMX -20 & Paramount Fork & Reynolds Fork
Place a "Wanted" ad in a couple of places, like the C.R. for instance ! Use words like "orphan" "lonely" "bare".
You will find a front fork ! They are definitely out there ! You may have to wait 10 months, or maybe 10 days. They are out there.
You can, of course, cut down a steerer tube that's too long. But you don't want to do that. Try to find one that is just your size.
Hot Rods ?????? Oh yes. People do mix and match. A lot. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes for the worse.
NOTE---- I myself have a mis-matched Paramount frame and front fork. I bought a "frame-set". When it arrived it was a mis-matched frame and front fork. Frame has eyelets. Fork does not have eyelets. I specifically bought this frame to use with fenders !! (another long story) So, I myself am looking for a 23-inch Paramount front fork with eyelets. Black is preferred. If I had been looking seriously hard, I'd have one by now !
Best Luck ! Raoul Delmare Marysville Kansas U.S.A.
-------------- Original message from scott.rs@adelphia.net: --------------
> OK, I need help!
> Those of you who I had the pleasure to meet at the C.R. Sunday ride or perhaps
> have stumbled across my intro on the list know that I am the sorry SOB with the
> '65 Paramount frame (V36) under my arm. Just the bare frame, no fork, no headset
> or bottom bracket and very little clue what should be on it component-wise. A
> call to Richard at Waterford brought a providence letter saying that it was
> shipped as a P-13 so that cleared up some of my questions regarding components.
> As I understand it would have come Campy equipped in the drive line department,
> Normandy hubs, Weinmann rims and brakes, and a Brooks saddle with requisite
> Campy post and headset. As of this moment I am not sure I want to go completely
> original, I mean what are the chances of finding a correct fork without having
> another 60cm Paramount frame attached? So perhaps more towards period correct
> "Hot-Rodded" if there is such a thing?
>
> So plumb me up about what should be standard equipment and any ideas towards the
> hot-rod program are limited only by the imagination and great expertise from the
> members of this forum!
> All replies will be greatly appreciated and considered, if not followed....
>
>
> PS anyone have a Nervex fork crown and 531 blades in their pocket?
>
> Scott Mattern
> Hacienda Heights, California