Don't know what catalogs you're looking at, but I have a 1973 and a 1975 Paramount, both original, both all chrome. All three of my chrome Paramount (I have another early 70's one I haven't finished restoring) have red decals, never seen a 70's chromed Paramonut with anything else. My bikes don't have red cable housing, including one on which I think the housings are original, but it's pretty hard to be certain something like cable housing wasn't changed at least once in 30+ years. Likewise the bar tape. Personally, I think the coolest look is to have red cable housing and red Hunt-Wilde plastic bar tape to match the decals. This may not have been catalog spec, but I'd think a lot of them were fitted out that way at the original dealer. After all, in the early 70's chrome Paramount buyers were paying the then fabulous sum of $500 or thereabouts, so they probably wouldn't hesitate to spend a few extra bucks to change out the housings and bar tape.
Interestingly, I have a 1962 all-chrome Schwinn Superior, and it has black decals rather than red. Don't know what color decals a chrome Paramount might have had in 1962.
I don't own a touring Paramount, so I haven't measured them, but I have seen a couple "in the flesh". I'm guessing the touring model has a longer wheelbase, slightly shallower angles, perhaps more DO eyelets (double vs single maybe), and maybe a differently shaped right side chainstay to clear the triple chainrings. I've also usually seen the touring model equipped with Weinmann centerpulls, so I'm guessing it may have a longer brake reach.
But this is all speculation. I do know that neither the touring nor the racing models in the early 70's were particularly radical geometry. So it is even possible the frames were identical and the models varied only as to the components. One thing I can check. How many DO eyelets does yours have? I'll check how it compares to my racing models.
BTW, Waterford, of which Richard Schwinn is a principal, have an extensive section of their webite devoted to the history of Paramount. This includes serial numbers and pictures of decals.
http://www.waterfordbikes.com/
Unless they have stopped this recently, Waterford will sell you decals for classic Paramounts, although they may require you to provide the serial number as proof the frame is a Paramount.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Tim Fricker <tymncycle@gmail.com> wrote: Hey Gang!
I hope everyone had a great time at Cirque. I wasn't able to make it this year, but since next year will be down the road from me, I'll be there.
But on the up side, another Schwinn has come into my life... this time a Paramount! (Yes, Marty, that Paramount...) It's a P-15, with the Campy triple, Weinmann brakes and levers, including "safety levers" (why, oh why, Schwinn?), Recod high flange hubs, one original Weinmann rim and one replacement Araya. The rear derailleur is a "Scwhinn Approved GT-whatever", in other words a rebadged Crane, and I think original. Front derailleur is a SunTour Mountech, NOT original. The bars are Cinellis with a rather short stem. The whole frame is chrome, and from 5 feet away looks gorgeous. Look more closely and you can see some pitting and such, but for a frame this old, I'm not complaining. I was warned by the owner that if I rode it and it fit me, I'd want it. Well, I did, it did, and I did... so we cut a deal.
A few questions for the Schwinn experts... I've poked around the Schwinn Lightweight Data Book online (thanks Bob!), but I still have some questions...
The serial number begins with A73, which indicates it was built in January of 73, as i understand it. But according to the catalogs and such, full chrome was not available that year. So is it a late 72 model, built in early 73? Maybe, but then the Crane is curious, because again, according to the catalogs, the 72 had a Gran Turismo rear. Then again, catalog spec and reality often don't jibe, so who knows.
Does anyone know what color scheme the decals would have been on the full chrome bikes? So far the pictures I've seen from this era all seem to show red lettering, along with red cable housing and bar tape. Is that accurate? Or did it vary?
Also, what were the geometry differences between the P-15 and the more race oriented models? The catalogs are vague here... the only specific differences I've seen listed had to do with eyelets for fenders and racks. I'm assuming there are other differences.
It's a sweet bike, and I'm really looking forward to riding it. I'll eventually swap out the front derailleur for the correct Record (and be asking advice there too, no doubt) and try to find a Weinmann rim maybe. Oh, the tires are not original.. they are Specilized 27" of some sort. Anyone have suggestions for a good period-looking 27" tire? I can try Panaracer Paselas, but that's the only one that comes to mind.
This all means I'll probably be sprucing up that World Voyageur for sale... it's too small for me anyway... so watch this space, Schwinn fans!
-- Tim Fricker bikes@vienna, llc Vienna, VA, USA Recumbents, folders, tandems, commuters, etc.