Re: [CR]"Mystery" lightweight on eBay

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Chater-Lea)

Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 20:55:45 -0800 (PST)
From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]"Mystery" lightweight on eBay
To: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net>, Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <009601c83622$98880c60$6402a8c0@peter5ca78cb10>


Well, I've paid for the 50th Anniversary Paramount. Although I have seen these in person, I took a few hours to check out the Waterford site to try to verify that this really is a 50th Anniversary. The year is right, fork is right, the tubing is right, the decal style is right, and the decals are gold, which Waterford says appeared only on the 50th Anniversary. So I think this is the genuine article, in which case $762 seems a pretty good, though not dirt cheap price.

My question for the group. Were 50th Anniversary Paramounts sold primarily as framesets? Was there any such thing as a stock build for this frame? This bike has TT bars which will be going away along with the too long stem - one list member has already expressed an interest. I''m informed the "Alpine" outer ring is likely pantagraphed for the Alpine house brand of Georgetown Cycle Shop. It will also probably be departing, and again a list member with fond memories of Alpine has an interest.

The rest of the build is Campy SR, which I'm inclined to preserve, except the wheels are C-Record. I like C-Record, but on this bike I'm inclined to go with SR, if that was the standard spec, or if these were sold as framesets with no standard spec, I may go with American-made hubs, Phil, Weyless, American Classic, or my most recent obsession, Hi-E. Any comments on the "correctness" of American hubs on this bike?

OK, I know this is after 1983, but a lugged steel, mostly Campy SR, 50th Anniversary Schwinn Paramount is definately KOF. In fact it doesn't get any more KOF than this.

Some of the European and UK members may be bemused at the Americans' obsession with Paramounts. But remember, for decades, while you had dozens or even hundreds of top quality production lightweights, we had only the Paramount. So humor us.

Regards,

Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX

"P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net> wrote: For the long inseamed of you, I bring to your attention this rather intriging machine on eBay:

http://tiny.cc/55yJJ

Any ideas? I am thinking it's a high end LeJeune or Stella judging from the treatment of the chromed lugs and the seat post size. Nice build details. And not just another '80s bike, either but rather older.

Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA