I am actively compiling information on early Schwinn Paramounts. Contributions are welcomed and appreciated. The current serial number database can be viewed here:

http://chainedrevolution.com/registry/schwinn_paramount.aspx

  hello,

  contact me regarding the paramounts seen in fixed gear gallery. I have 7 now and access to 3 more ALL prewar design.  Brian

   bike884@aol.com

   BIKE TECH of Detroit

  313-884-BIKE

 Hello, I am new to the site and was overjoyed to find your serial # registration.  I have a Schwinn Paramount I am in the process of restoring and I think it was made during the "Wastyn Era", hope you can help. 

It is full chrome 57 cm with Nervex lugs and Campy dropouts. The headset is original and has a small AS stamped on it (Arnold Schwinn?). The serial number is # 814 (1958?) and is located on the BB shell and fork neck. The Campy derailleurs are from the "58 catalog which makes since. Any feedback would help. I can send photos if you need. Thanks again, Scott  

fixed531:

 Hello, I am new to the site and was overjoyed to find your serial # registration.  I have a Schwinn Paramount I am in the process of restoring and I think it was made during the "Wastyn Era", hope you can help. 

It is full chrome 57 cm with Nervex lugs and Campy dropouts. The headset is original and has a small AS stamped on it (Arnold Schwinn?). The serial number is # 814 (1958?) and is located on the BB shell and fork neck. The Campy derailleurs are from the "58 catalog which makes since. Any feedback would help. I can send photos if you need. Thanks again, Scott  

Hi Scott,

It does seem like your bike is a '58 from your description and serial number. What type of information are you looking for with regards to your bike? The 50's seem to be a period of many variations in the Paramount's features and it'd be good to see some photos of your bike. If it has Campy equipment I would hazard to guess that it was built for racing.

Cheers,

Tam

Here are some photos of the '58 Schwinn Paramount frame & fork # 814. I hope to make this my daily rider and give it another 50 years of life!

Any feedback is welcome,

Scott

fixed531:

Here are some photos of the '58 Schwinn Paramount frame & fork # 814. I hope to make this my daily rider and give it another 50 years of life!

Any feedback is welcome,

Scott

Wow - great photos, Scott. The frame looks gorgeous and is typical of the late 50's and early 60's Paramounts in features. I'll add your frame to the registry after this post.

Below is a photo of a '61 Paramount (not mine).

Hi,

What a surprise, that 61 black/chrome Paramount is mine!!!!!

 Sincerely,

Paul 

Hello,

 I have two corrections for your Paramount registry. Paramount #A450 will not be a parts donor since it is complete and easily restorable.

The restoration on it will be carried out next year. Paramount #831, blue, a bare frame I purchased was just finished with a vintage Campagnolo

Record Pista group. It looks great. I pretty much gave up trying to find original Paramount parts, or equivalant British parts for that matter. The

original brinneled headset races were easily recut using a ceramic tool bit. The machining on them now is much smoother than the original.

Mark Havery

Hello terminaunt,

I noticed your post and wanted to let you know that I own Schwinn Paramount frame #A 815.  This bike was purchased by my Grandfather around 1940.  I remember it with all the original parts unfortunately I did not consider it anything special and gave it to a friend who stripped them all around 1970 and tossed them.  A few years later I realized it was something special and he was no longer using the frame so I asked for it back.  It was then repainted the original color, Black and outfitted with all Campy parts vintage 1972.  In 1984 I added touring gear and took it on a 2000 mile ride through Europe.  I still ride it sometimes.  

Sometime around 1972 I wrote to Schwinn in hopes of identifying exactly when the bike was built.  They said original records of these older bikes had been lost in a fire years before, but they did send me copies of old catalogues (which I still have somewhere) and it appeared to me that the frame was from 1939. 

It has racing drop outs although it has tabs for its original fenders (long gone).  It came with a 3 speed hub.  The lugs appear to be hand cut and are very simple.  I think I remember that when the paint was stripped I could see copper around the lugs which I think means it was brazed together (not sure about that memory).  The metal Paramount head tube logo is still unpainted (not attached to the bike) and you can clearly see it was fabricated and brazed together to form the 3D Star logo, not stamped. 

Hope this is helpful for your Paramount Registry.

Yours, Malcolm 

Malcolm:

I noticed your post and wanted to let you know that I own Schwinn Paramount frame #A 815.

Hi Malcolm,

Thanks for posting the information about your bike. That's great to hear it's been in the family for so long and even better yet, that it's served you with some great miles. A bike tour through Europe is something I would really enjoy (I did a month-long train tour some years back).

I've added your bike to the registry and if you get a chance, post a photo of it for us to enjoy.

All the best,

Tam

Saw your project & wanted to let you know I've  owned  Schwinn Paramount serial # A854  for the last 30 years - complete restoration by chicago schwinn in 1979 of frame & forks - original bars, stem, cranks  & wooden wheels --Has been displayed in my bike shop in Hemet, California & am currently in process of listing on Ebay.  Please add to registry.

Don Neal

Hemet, California 

bonnieo:

Saw your project & wanted to let you know I've  owned  Schwinn Paramount serial # A854  for the last 30 years - complete restoration by chicago schwinn in 1979 of frame & forks - original bars, stem, cranks  & wooden wheels --Has been displayed in my bike shop in Hemet, California & am currently in process of listing on Ebay.  Please add to registry.

 

Don Neal

Hemet, California 

Hi Don,

Thanks for the information about your bike and it has been added to the registry. Sounds like a great bike and if you get a chance, post a link to your eBay auction once it's up for sale.

Cheers,

Tam

Additional info for # A854   BE-SQ-TE  Color is white (repaint)

bonnieo:

Additional info for # A854   BE-SQ-TE  Color is white (repaint)

Hi Don,

I saw that your bike is now on eBay, and interestingly enough I clicked to view your other auctions to find that you are also selling a TR4A. You wouldn't believe this, but before I got into bikes I was collecting cars and one one of my favorites was my Triumph TR-250. It had the electric overdrive and all.

That was a fun car and I actually drove it across the US on a vacation back in the early 90's. Wish I hadn't ever sold it.

Good luck with your auction(s),

Tam

Tam,

You will notice an earlier post in this thread from Mark Havery about Schwinn Paramount A450.  I recently purchased it from him.  It is now fully assembled, rideable, already looks pretty nice, and over time will undergo a piece by piece restoration.  Please change the entry for A450 in the Paramount Registry to reflect that it is no longer a "parts donor frame."  I'll be providing pictures in the near future.

Thanks.