[CR]Need help from early Paramount experts

(Example: Production Builders:Frejus)

From: "Otis" <otis@otisrecords.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 17:16:28 -0700
Subject: [CR]Need help from early Paramount experts

Hello,

I’m trying to establish the year and model of an older Paramount frame. Set up as a fixed gear trainer by a Southern California racer in the 60’s, it’s been a “mystery frame” to me since finding it. But a recent close examination in the “right” light revealed the original seat tube decals under the sloppy re-spray. The “hat” decal and tubing decal were clearly visible once I knew what I was looking for. The stripes on the top tube that had been masked off before the re-spray also seem correct. The lugs, headtube arrangement, and hubs, all coincide with the examples of prewar to 1950’s Paramount’s I was able to view on various websites. The one feature that baffles me is the rear dropouts, which are standard horizontal with an attached derailleur hanger (the rear brake bridge is NOT drilled.) Every other example of early Paramount I’ve come across all have track ends (even in geared form). My main question is: was there a model of this vintage using standard road style dropouts, or has this bike been modified? The bottom bracket shell has “P5” cast in raised letters on the bottom. Unfortunately the serial number is illegible. The bike belonged to a Joseph Ferguson who was a mechanic at, and then part owner of a Northridge Schwinn shop, and rode for a club in Santa Monica during the 60’s. If anybody remembers him or this bike, I’d like to hear about it. Below are some links to photos. I can provide more on request. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Cheers, Jon Williams Grants Pass, Oregon

otis@otisrecords.com

http://uci.net/~brennan/oldfix1.jpg http://uci.net/~brennan/oldfix1.jpg

http://uci.net/~brennan/oldfix3.jpg http://uci.net/~brennan/oldfix3.jpg

http://uci.net/~brennan/oldfix4.jpg http://uci.net/~brennan/oldfix4.jpg

http://uci.net/~brennan/oldfix5.jpg http://uci.net/~brennan/oldfix5.jpg