Sounds like a neat place to check out.
The world-record Schwinn was likely Letourner's Paramount, which was outfitted with a block-chain ratio of 57x6 (252 gear inches) when it established the 108.92 mph record on a road near Bakersfield, CA. I've posted a photo up on my site:
http://chainedrevolution.com/
Cheers, Tam Pham Huntington Beach, CA - USA
On 4/28/07, TODDCIRELLI@aol.com <TODDCIRELLI@aol.com> wrote:
>
> My friend and I went out this morning looking for a new bike for him. He
> was looking for a way off topic carbon composite- at any rate, we went
> into
> Martin's bike shop in Ephrata, PA. We got to talking to the
> owner, telling us
> the history behind the shop and its evolution into one of the largest
> Schwinn
> dealers in the Country- back in the day. I asked if he had any nice
> Paramounts- which I could tell by the expression on his face that he
> had. He took us
> upstairs into his museum-
>
> Team Wheaties Paramount with all 8 speed Dura Ace.
>
> 50th Anniversary Paramount built with a Campy 50th Grupo.
>
>
> The best- 1941 Schwinn World Record Holder (going from memory, 108 mph at
> the Bonneville salt flats). It had a front sprocket that was at least
> 14 to 16
> inches wide. It was huge- The bike resembled a track bike.
>
>
> Those were the ones that were most appealing to me- his museum was filled
> with anything from bone shakers to orange crates to balloon tires.
> Approximately five hundred in total that he was gracious enough to share
> with us. All
> mint, and basically traced the history of the cycling with a strong
> emphasis
> on the Schwinn company. I couldn't believe my eyes. Worth the trip if
> you
> are in the area. He requests that you call him first to make
> arrangements.
>
> Todd Cirelli
> Mechanicsburg, PA
>
>
>
>
> ************************************** See what's free at
> http://www.aol.com.