[CR]Re: Paramount with rack

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot)

From: <RDF1249@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 00:42:02 EST
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: Paramount with rack

In a message dated 01/27/2003 7:12:36 PM Pacific Standard Time, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes:
> >I sure didn't know that Schwinn ever did anything like building a rear
> rack
> >into the frame. Can this really be a Paramount? 23" frame. Lou Deeter,
> >Orlando FL
>
>
>
>
> Hello Lou ,
>
> Raoul Delmare here , writing from Marysville Kansas .
>
> I just sent this message to the seller of that bicycle , and also to a
> friend of mine who had written to the seller , and forwarded the seller's
> response , over to me .
>
>
> Here's the correspondence :
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Raoul Delmare
> To: Sharma Fagan ; Bruce C.
> Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 5:30 PM
> Subject: Re: Schwinn Paramount Item #2702388283
>
>
> Hello ,
>
> Raoul Delmare here ,
>
>
> I'm a nut about Schwinn Paramounts .
>
> So , that really is a genuine Schwinn Paramount frame , which has been
> heavily re-worked , by an unknown custom frame builder , probably right
> around 1978 , with the added custom rear rack , added fittings for two
> water bottle cages , added cantilever brakes , and with the rear slightly
> widened for the 6-speed freewheel ( originally it would have had a 5-speed
> freewheel ) .
>
> The serial number , G7016 , can be de-coded into , July - 1970 - the
> 16th Paramount frame set made during that month . So , we know that it
> was
> made early in the month , probably during the first week .
>
> From looking at the photographs , I was thinking that this was one of the
> unusual Paramounts , with the full set of Prugnat lugs as well as the
> Prugnat bottom bracket shell .
>
> This serial number agrees perfectly with the use of those lugs .
>
> For a long time , before this , the Paramounts used a full set of Nervex
> Professional lugs and Nervex Professional bottom bracket shell .
>
> For a long time , after this , the Paramounts used the Nervex
> Professional lugs , with the Prugnat bottom bracket shell .
>
> But for a very brief period of time , right around 1970 , Schwinn
> Paramounts used the full set of Prugnat lugs and Prugnat bottom bracket
> shell .
>
> So , it's a 23-inch , Schwinn Paramount , made in early July of 1970 .
>
> Can't honestly say whether it was originally a model P13 Deluxe
> Paramount Road Racer ( all of the Paramount Road Racers from that era were
> 10-speeds ) , or a model P15 Deluxe Paramount Touring 15-speed .
>
> Looking at the photograph in the 1970 Schwinn consumer catalog , frames
> of those two models seem identical . In later years , it would be easy to
> spot the differences between the Road Racer , and the Touring . But ,
> until 1972 , the frames were identical ( as far as I know ) .
>
> Of course , for a small fee , you can have Richard Schwinn , at
> Waterford Precision Cycles , look up your serial number , and send you a
> written sheet of information . The usual information lists the particular
> model , the original color , the dealership to which it was originally
> sent , etc . Sometimes he can even tell you the name of the original
> owner .
>
> One very interesting thing about 1970 , it was the year of Schwinn's
> 75th Anniversary .
>
> The model they chose to commemorate Schwinn's 75th Anniversary was the
> P15 Deluxe Paramount Touring 15-Speed . So , although there wasn't
> anything special painted on the bicycles themselves , those 1970 Deluxe
> Touring Paramounts , are technically known as , " The Diamond Jubilee
> Schwinn " .
>
>
> Best Of Luck ,
> Cheers ,
> Raoul
>

I agree that that is most likely a P-13 with the added rack. Two things give it away: The lack of brake housing stops on the top tube which all P10/P15 frames that I have seen had, and the relatively short chainstays. Of course, whoever modified the frame could have "shaved" the brake housing stops. If I could see the height of the brake bridge that would confirm it. The P13 would take 700C wheels and Campy brakes out of the box. The P10/P15 would take Campy brakes only with 27" wheels and a drop bolt in the rear. The rack looks to me like it might have been made by Sam Braxton (now deceased) of Braxton's bikes in Missoula. Very much his style.

Bob Freeman Seattle '62 P-10, '72 P-13, '73 P-15, '65 Track Paramounts.