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.