1972 Schwinn Paramount P15-9

Details: 1972 Schwinn Paramount P15-9

Frame size: 22” (measured center to top)
Serial Number G7259 (Indicating this is the 59th frame manufactured in July, 1972)
Additional Note: P2 stamped on bottom bracket shell indicating it was fabricated by Don Mainland at Pioneer Manufacturing in Racine Wisconsin.
Construction: Reynolds 531 frame and fork, Nervex lugs
Finish: Full Chrome

Components:
Bar: Cinelli Giro D’Italia 64
Stem: Cinelli 1A
Bar Tape: Velox Tressostar cotton cloth, red
Hoods: Reproduction (manufactured by Cane Creek, logo Dremeled off)
Shifters: Suntour Barcon bar end shifters
Headset: Campagnolo Neuvo Record
Seatpost: Campagnolo Neuvo Record
Crank: Campagnolo Strada Neuvo Record
Bottom Bracket: Campagnolo Neuvo Record
Chain: Sedisport Grand Tourisme
Wheels: 36-spoke
Hubs: High-Flanged Campagnolo Neuvo Record
Rims (27"): Front, Weinmann; Rear, unk
Tires: Panaracer Pasela 27" x 1 1/4"
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Neuvo Record
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Crane GS
Saddle: Brooks Competition

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I love a good bike project.

I believe it's a privilege to be given the opportunity to restore a piece of history. (Here's where I get all overblown and pretentious) I also feel it's an obligation -- preserving something that is worthwhile for the next generation to enjoy -- hopeful that the labor and love I put into a project will somehow be appreciated by the next individual to take ownership. With the understanding that these things are mine, only temporarily. That they will certainly outlast me.

Ok... enough... it's just a bike, right? I still love these darn things.

Sometimes the research, digging for information, and piecing together a story is as much fun as the cleaning, repairing, and tuning. As the steel two-wheeler comes back to it's former glory, the final bits are tied together and documented here on the interwebs, a sort of sadness emerges as a project (and story) come to a close. On the up side, I'm left with the memory of the experience, and the satisfaction that I did what I could, within my means, and I have the freedom to take her out and enjoy her anytime I choose.



This Schwinn Paramount journey has been particularly rewarding.

This bike came to me via a local Craigslist ad. The man running the ad was the son of the original owner. His father had purchased the bike brand new in February 1973, right here in my home town - from the shop I used to frequent as a young kid. When the man passed away in 1988, the son inherited the bike and rode it for approximately another 10 years. Since about 1998, the bike has been hanging, unused. It was time for the bike to move on.

(Clicking on any of the pics below will launch a larger picture)

As Received

A medium sized cardboard box accompanied the bike. This is where the real story started to reveal itself. Within the box was all the evidence of how well this bike was loved and appreciated by the original owner. Among the meticulously maintained tools (used, then placed back in their original packaging), spare parts, and repair manuals, were the original owners manual and the original bill of sale -- over 43 years old.

The original toolkit received when new

Toolkit Contents

(I believe a few pieces are missing)

Campagnolo crank bolt wrench, crank puller, chainring wrench, and 3-piece allen wrench. Cinelli 7 mm allen for the stem. Tire levers.

The Original Owners Manual

Original purchase receipt

Identifies the purchase date of 2-8-73, and serial number G7259

Also in the box, the 1972 Schwinn Catalog

Page 7 Showing the Paramount

Full catalog scans are available here from Waterford

During October, 1972 (prior to making the purchase), the original owner inquired to Schwinn requesting information on the Schwinn Paramount. The following are items received in response, contained in a Schwinn folder. On each page of the 1972 Schwinn Specifications document, were tags stapled prior to mailing indicating, "Factory Production Sold Out. Available January 1973."

Folder Cover

Letter

1972 Specifications (Cover)

Specification Page 2

Specification Page 3

Specification Fit Chart

This may be a bit of a stretch for today's standards. With a 33" leg length, I feel I'm at the max height for this 22" frame. I can't imagine someone with 36" legs riding a 22" frame

Specification Supplement

Some of the other great items contained in the box

I alternated between scouring the internet for the background and history, and cleaning, adjusting, and replacing parts where necessary. Here are the pics as she sits now:

Fork Steerer marked with corresponding serial number

Regarding the “P” stamp on the bottom bracket (from the Waterford website):
Link to Waterford

“This code indicates a Paramount contract built by Don Mainland's Pioneer Manufacturing in Racine Wisconsin. Don was a post war bike racer of note who started a number of manufacturing businesses in the Racine area in the 1950's, becoming a Schwinn supplier during the bike boom. He supplied the 1972 Olympic frames, Schwinn Superiors in the early 1980's and tooling used throughout Schwinn's manufacturing facilities all the way to 1990.”

More on the Don Mainland connection from the Waterford website:

“Starting in 1971, Schwinn outsourced excess Paramount production to Pioneer Manufacturing of Racine, Wisconsin, owned by Don Mainland. Don was an accomplished bike racer as well as successful industrialist. After racing in the midwest, he raced in Japan’s Kierin circuit in the early 50’s. He then returned to the US, where he set the coast to coast cross country record, which stood for eleven years. Don’s firm supplied the 1972 Olympic frames and Schwinn Superiors during the 1980’s. His tooling firm supplied Schwinn’s manufacturing all the way until 1990 in Mississippi.”

And:

“During the 70’s, Paramount sales rose to 1,200 units annually. Schwinn supplemented Paramount production with contract-built frames by Don Mainland and Roger Nelson. Don and Roger, both riders from the 40’s and 50’s, had built up a successful tooling business in Racine, Wisconsin. He already supplied tooling to Schwinn. At Paramount’s peak in the mid-70’s, 10 frames per week came from Wisconsin and 15 from Chicago. There is no obvious way to distinguish the Wisconsin-built Paramounts from those built at the Schwinn factory. Serial numbers were issued after the bikes were built.”

However, I'm told that a Schwinn bulletin dated 8/30/72 concerning Paramount production states:

"The demand for these top of the line models has increased dramatically as more and more adults are becoming interested in cycling and we therefore plan to increase production from 3,400 units this year to 5,200 units in 1973. This represents a 52.9% increase over 1972 and there should be enough bikes for all dealers without the necessity for allocation if discretion is used in ordering."

I tend to believe the latter as this serial number registry identifies several examples of serial numbers that indicate monthly production in the 200-300s.

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Well, personally, I don't think that the pictures do this bike justice. The pictures still show a lot of the discoloration (rust) on the lugs and hard to reach places. I suppose the pictures are more accurate than my perception though. For the most part, I think I'm done. The downtube decals are mostly gone. I could add reproduction decals, but sometimes I prefer the original patina to remain evident. For now though, all that's left is to ride it and enjoy it.

I will close with a few more pretentious thoughts -- This bike will always belong to Mr. Peterson. I will have the privilege of enjoying it for the time-being, until my family decides that it's time for the bike to move on. I will update this page periodically as we have a worthwhile journey or two to share.

A few pics from a little "mixed terrain" wine country shakedown ride: