Greetings,
All around Thanksgiving, and through the graces of CR, I gratefully made the acquaintance and new friendship of a fellow-lister who also is a close-by neighbor. Upon meeting, "L.K." and I made a nice transaction whereby I became owner of my first Paramount, a 1973 double-men's tandem. Owing to the stewardship of L.K. and his brother, this Paramount is in superb and virtually original condition, with only the most minor knicks and absolutely no knocks.
Ala Ebay, I've already acquired the littlest Huret fixtures it needed for completion; the rest of the Campy, Cinelli and Mafac groups are intact. What's left to deal with are the two missing Brooks Professionals, which at some point were pulled in favor of more cushy alternatives. Not my main point in writing - but please note that I am fishing for two Professionals or B17s that would be somewhat matched in character or patina, if possible.
Not only is this my first Paramount, its my first American bicycle, ever. And, again thankfully, it fits into our '37 International woody bike hauler with 1/2 inch to spare (phew). Car and bike, both from Chicago, seemingly well-paired!
Now I have a question to ask of those who may have an OPINION on the matter: towards a correct 'period renovation,' would you put back the original large-flange campy hubs or keep (as the bike now has, and may have had since 1973 ??) the Phil Wood hubs with the Phil Wood Drum Brakes, all in pristine shape? In total, we're stopping on Mafac cantilevers (front and back) and Phil's drums (front and back). Thanks in advance.
JB Froke
Pebble Beach CA