Re: [CR]EARLY PARAMOUT QUESTIONS

(Example: Production Builders:Tonard)

Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 16:04:52 -0700
From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]EARLY PARAMOUT QUESTIONS
References: <F183H67yRLVbNDN4Cxp00002f50@hotmail.com>


Giani Bongiorno wrote:
>
> Hello to all,
>
> I just purchased an early Schwinn Paramount track bike (#A552) and I have a question about the hubs. The rear hub has alloy flanges and the front steel, I also have an early Durkopp that was modified by Schwinn employees in the 40's that has alloy flanges front and rear. I would like to know what would be correct for the paramount. Going by the frame style and the number I think this bike would either be just pre or post war. I have seen Paramount stems with both steel and alloy bar clamps does anybody have an idea when this change was made and which came first? One more question, if you ordered a pre war Paramount complete from Schwinn would it come with a Wipperman, Diamond or Union block chain?
> I have Wipperman and Diamond and I,m not sure which one to use. Thanks in advance for all the help and info.

John,

The 1938 catalog list the hubs as "New design" with the "drop forged dural" large flanges and steel barrels. It also lists the chain as "Diamond or Wipperman, Block."

Stem is listed as having sliding adjustable clamp of "drop forged dural."

I had a very nice adjustable Schwinn stem that had a steel sliding adjustable clamp and assumed it followed the typical development of steel parts being replaced by aluminum alloy (dural) parts as the years passed, so that would make it pre 1938 would be my guess.

There is a very nice reproduction of the Schwinn catalog from 1938 (features the Paramount) offered on my Velo-Retro web site at-- http://www.velo-retro.com you might be interested in.

Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, Southern California