[CR]Re: Paramount track bike.

(Example: Framebuilders:Doug Fattic)

From: <InchPitch@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 21:22:09 EST
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org, hydelake@bcpl.net
Subject: [CR]Re: Paramount track bike.

Dan:

I posted this the other day, but nobody seemed to see it. The "Disneyland" style lettering was only used in 1960, 61, and 62. The oil port in the BB, and the non Campy fork ends make this early in that time period, probably a 60. Also, by 1962, the double-box arrow-point pin-striping had been simplified to a half-point arrow. The short bevel on the top of the seat stays is another clue. I have two 1962 Paramounts, both in the K series and they changed from the short bevel cap to the long bevel cap between # 47 and # 99, the end of the series. In that time period, there were no production track frames, all were special ordered. The first Paramount road bikes with road dropouts, that I can document, were built in 1956 for the Olympic team. I was racing out of Pasadena, Ca. (Pasadena Cycling Club out of John's Schwinn Cyclery) in the early sixties and production Paramount road bikes were just becoming available at that time. Peter Grenader, the Allegro historian suggests that Schwinn realized the extreme popularity of the Allegros and basically copied the frame geometry for their production bikes. Remember, a standard Paramount was around $175.00, with the full Campy bikes topping $230.00, and that was an incredible amount of money for a bicycle at that time. My high school friends thought I was crazy spending $232.00 for my full Campy Paramount track bike, "You could buy a car for that!" they said. Well, maybe, but I've still got that track bike, how long gone would a $200.00 car be? I think I made the right choice.

The multi-digit number shown on the BB shell is a Nervex casting number. Serial number should be on left rear drop-out. Should be in the "D" to "F" range with two numerical digits afterward. Of great interest is the Campy "Gruppo Record" decal on a bike with the Chicago steel "gruppo." The paint job may have gone on before the customer's spec sheet was consulted. Also, The pedals don't seem to be correct, Schwinn used the Torrington #3 track pedal in the early days, and then the Lyotard "Berthet platform" pedal in the late 50's -early 60's. Campys were offered as an upgrade when they became available. They equipped my track bike with the rare "Con Dente" toothed version...and those same pedals are still on the bike. I was going to comment on the lasting quality of good equipment, but the Torrington #3s on my 1938 Paramount Team Six Day bike still work just fine too.

Anyhow, I appreciate you interest in fixed gear, and especially Paramounts, and hope this is helpful to you. Feel free to contact me off list if you wish.

Bill Curtis: inchpitch@aol.com
Costa Mesa, CA