Thought some of you might like to share my excitement. Recently I've been on the lookout for a vintage Schwinn Paramount track bike. I have vivid memories of the red 1963 or 64 vintage Paramount I raced in 1964-65. I spotted a '75 Paramount on eBay--close enough--they didn't change much by '75. I followed it the first time it was on eBay. But I was in the middle of a meeting at work when it ended--thought I'd lost it. Well, the price got up to about $330 but didn't meet the reserve. The owner relisted it (and he even told me his reserve price--$600). I watched again for 10 days. I was in another meeting at work when it ended the second time. Thought I'd lost it again. Price got up to $430 with 29 bids, but again didn't meet the reserve price. I e-mailed the owner and asked if he wanted to sell it off-line and that I might even be willing to pick it up (to save him the trouble of packing and shipping and to give me the instant gratification I wanted). He said he would be willing to sell. I offered $500 and he accepted. Last Sunday, I drove 230 miles each way to Emmaus, PA (right near Trexlertown) to bring the bike home. I was not disappointed. It has a "mod" paint job and no decals, but the frame is in good shape. It has much of its original equipment: Campy Record cranks, pedals, seatpost, hubs, bottom bracket, and headset. Original headbadge is in place and in nice condition. Has non-original saddle (shot), stem, and handlebars. I've begun taking it apart, cleaning, and polishing. I'm planning to send the frame to Waterford during the next off-season to get it painted Flamboyant Red and to get a new set of decals on it. I have an original Campy 50t chainring coming from an eBay purchase and a new, but period-correct Cinelli Unicanitor pista plastic saddle coming from americancyclery.com . It's going to be great. You can still see it on eBay at:
http://ebay.com/
Pete Rutledge Woodbridge, VA (about 10 inches of snow on the ground and still coming down)