Hello all, I recently became the proud owner of a 1976 Paramount P-14. The bike is in quite good shape and seems mostly, if not completely original. The paint is decent and the seat tube decals are completely intact. Unfortunately, the "paramount" decals on the top tube are gone and the "schwinn" decals on the down tube are just barely there. I don't want to repaint, but would like to re-decal the top and down tubes so if anyone knows a source for these, please let me know.
The other questions have to do with the wheels. They are Schwinn approved 260 rims, made in France, laced 2X to Campagnolo large-flange hubs. The hubs are odd in that the flanges have been drilled between the spoke holes. The holes are 3mm across, and appear to have been quite professionally done--all perfectly centered and with smooth edges. Did Campy do this? Did Schwinn? The bike shop? (the shop sticker, from "Casa d'Oro Cycles" in Spring Valley, CA is still intact.)
Now these wheels, with drilled hub flanges, 2X (probably original galvanized) spoking and 260 gram rims are probably too fragile for me to ride (I'm 180 lbs). But I was wondering if I should perhaps rebuild the wheels with modern double-butted spokes, 3X to make them rideable (but not every-day wheels). The old spokes are quite oxidized and loose.
Any comments/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Rob Anderson
Brooklyn, NY