Check out some pics of a nice pair of Paramount track bikes that we just
restored here: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/
One is from 1965 and the other from 1977. Can you spot the differences? Here they are: Different fork crowns, different bb shells, different fork rake radius. Not too much else except the 77 seems to be about 12 ounces heavier. Yeah, yeah, I know the 77 decals should be different, but I just couldn't bare to paint this nice frame and put on those budugly late 70s decals. My painter was walking it out to the floor, and had not even hung it up yet when a messenger spotted it, asked if it was for sale, and bought it on the spot! And another messenger brought in the 65 for us to restore too. Had us re-chrome his bar and stem too. We have a classy bunch of messengers in Seattle.
About the chrome: Both of these had no chrome on the head lugs, and the 77 had no chrome on the crown, so that is how we restored them. I don't know how or why Schwinn decided to do the chrome differently for different years. My 63 track has chrome lugs, crown, and stays, as do my 72 and 73 road and touring bikes, but my 62 P-12 has no chrome at all.
enjoy
Bob Freeman
Elliott Bay Bicycles
2116 Western Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
206-441-8144
Home of Davidson Handbuilt Bicycles