The 1973 Paramount catalogue notes for the P-15-9 and P10-9 deluxe tourist, and the P13-9 road racer that: "Bottom bar shifting levers are standard. Campagnolo finger-tip handlebar control shifters are availalbe as are Schwinn-approved ratchet-type handlebar shifters as optional extras. Schwinn Twin-Stick controls are availalbe at no charge." (language for the P13-9. The P10 and P15 descriptions include the ratchet-type but not the Campagnolo bar-ends.)
The only ratchet-type Schwinn-approved handlebar shifters I know about were Schwinn-Approved (so stamped in the body) Suntour ratchets, bar ends. I have a pair in the drawer, and they were on a buddy's '73 (but I can't swear were original on it). This was also the first year the Schwinn-Approved GT-300 LeTour (rebadged Shimano Crane long-arm) derailleur was available, paired with a Campy record front. The 1972 Paramount catalogue does not refer to any handlebar controls as options.
Thanks for driving me back into the filing cabinet, JB, smiles and smiles of memories flooded back.
harvey sachs mcLean va
From: "JB Froke"
Admittedly, it doesn't take much to confuse me about 'les petites pièces de la bicyclette' (hearts I get better), but up to now I had convinced myself that the Suntour barcons on my '73 Paramount Tandem were a post-market switchover as the balance of the bike is Campy and Schwinn-Huret. Scanning catalogs, I still find no evidence that Suntour were employed for the '73 drive-train; or, am I misguided?