Hi Harvey,
This Paramount has been on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $2500 for a couple of months. I'd say it's a bit overpriced, given the non-original equipment it has. The rear rim on the bike that you describe as "prism-like" is just like the rims that came original on my Paramount A450. They are correct for the period. In a 1936 Lobdell catalog, they are shown as the "Camionade Racing Rim" or "V-Back Racing Rim" and are described as most appropriate for track racing. The rounded profile rim of the same era, like the one on the front of this bike, is called the "L6 Racing Rim" and is described as most appropriate for road racing. These rims are not narrow, as both rims are sized at 28 x 1-1/8".
Pete Rutledge Woodbridge, VA, USA
Harvey Sachs wrote:
> Marty Walsh, knowing my interest in the old Paramounts, nicely sent me
> the link to this lovely critter: 350357262871, with a price of
> $2500. I have my quota of these beasts (1, and a naked spare frame),
> but I wonder what the esteemed cognoscenti feel the buyer will do:
> keep as it is, or try to restore to original Paramount parts. It has
> lovely Stronglight Comp. 3-arm cranks, Cinelli steeel track bar &
> stem, and a New Departure hub in back. I could easily imagine it
> needing more than $1000 to pick up the correct replacement parts,
> depending on condition. And then it would be a restoration, rather
> than something with its history. Such a quandry.
>
> And I can envy the condition of the apparently original paint; mine
> came to me in rattlecan green, and I rode her for two decades with
> rattlecan black over it before splurging on the Waterford restoration.
>
> Also, the cross section of the wood rims is nearly prism-like and
> quite narrow, not what I associate with the era. Anyone have judgment
> on what these are?
>
> Harvey sachs
> mcLean va