This is Marc's chrome Schwinn Paramount. It has come in for a preservation. I say preservation because it is a fine line to walk on these valuable bicycles. You want them to look as best as they can but you also don't want them to loose any originality. You want to keep factory finishes on cranks and brakes so you don't just want to go polish everything to a mirror finish.
To me the Chrome Schwinn Paramounts are the holy grail of American bicycles. It doesn't get cooler. An all chrome 531 butted frame, Campy components all around. Fantastic wheels. Just perfect!!
It is definitely time for some work to be done. The headset was a bear to loosen, the pedals where so tight they took a little bit of heat and some busted knuckles to remove. A year or two longer and they may have need more drastic measures to remove. The bottom bracket fixed cup was also a bear to loosen. On cable brackets on the top tube the screw heads where damaged which made it difficult to remove the screws, those screws will be replaced.
The Paramount will be stripped down and the frame cleaned and polished. The components will be mainly cleaning and mechanically overhauled with just a few nuts and bolts polished. New cables and more period correct cable housings will be installed. A good mechanical overhaul will be done. I can't wait to tune and test ride the Paramount, it has been a long time since I have been on one!
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Handlebars |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Brake Lever |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Stem & Handlebars |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Hub |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Rim |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Stem |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Headset & Fork Crown |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Top Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Shift Levers |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Down Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Brooks Saddle |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Reynolds Decal |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Seat Tube Decal |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Crank |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Front Derailleur |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Seat Lug |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Rear Brake Caliper |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Chain Stays |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Rear Derailleur |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Rear Wheel Hub |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Before - Pedals |
I broke the Paramount down to the frame. The frame is in really good shape, just some slight chrome wear on the fork. The frame is very dirty and dull but that will all change. I think this chrome is going to shine like new!
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Top Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Down Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Seat Lug |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Seat Lug |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Seat Tube Decal |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Seat Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Seat Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Seat Lug |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Seat Lug |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Chain Stays |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Drop Outs |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Drop Outs |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Fork |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Fork Crown |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Fork Crown |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Fork Blade |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Fork Blade |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Fork Blade |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Fork Drop Out |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Before - Fork Blade |
I left off yesterday with the frame cleaned but not yet polished and the headset and bottom bracket cleaned and going through the sonic cleaner. Check back soon!
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Headset & Bottom Bracket - Before |
The polishing of the frame took a good deal more work then I thought it would, but it was worth every bit! The frame turned out like a jewel! The photos don't do it justice! The chrome shines and is so smooth, the decals are perfect, the lugs pop with clean lines! There is the chrome damage on the fork and a slight bit on the bottom bracket but its not real bad. I am good with this kind of chrome damage because it means the bike was used and loved. I love this stuff!!
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Top Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Down Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Down Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Seat Lug |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Reynolds 531 Decal |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Seat Tube Decal |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Seat Lug |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Seat Stays |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Chain Stays |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Drop Outs |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Drop Outs |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Fork |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Fork Crown |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Fork Crown |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Fork Blades |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Fork Blades |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Frame Polished - Fork Blades |
I didn't think the components would need much work, just a good cleaning and lubricating. After cleaning the component pieces need some work on the polishing wheels, not a lot but definitely needed some.
I cleaned the headset and bottom bracket and then lightly polished the pieces on the polishing wheels. The pieces polished very nice and with new grease both the headset and bottom bracket spin very smooth. Best of all is how they look with the chrome frame!
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Headset & Bottom Bracket Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Headset & Bottom Bracket Polished |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Pressing Headset Cups |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Headset Cups Pressed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Headset Bearings Packed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Headset Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Headset Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Headset Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bottom Bracket Bearings Packed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bottom Bracket Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bottom Bracket Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Headset & Bottom Bracket Complete |
The brake calipers benefited the most from time on the polishing wheels. When I disassembled and cleaned them there was just to many blemishes in the chrome hardware. One of the brake calipers the arms where the factory finish was is worn down. After reassembly and proper lubrication the calipers look so much better and feel so smooth. I love this stuff!
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Brake Calipers Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Brake Caliper Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Brake Calipers Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Brake Calipers Polished |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Brake Calipers Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Brake Caliper Installed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Brake Caliper Installed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Brake Calipers Installed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Shift Levers Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Shift Levers Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Shift Levers After |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Shift Levers Installed |
The bottom bracket cable guide was next. A good cleaning and some time on the polishing wheels and it looks great!
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bottom Bracket Cable Guide Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bottom Bracket Cable Guide Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bottom Bracket Cable Guide Polished |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bottom Bracket Cable Guide Installed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bottom Bracket Cable Guide Installed |
I did not want to loose the new and very well wrapped handlebar wrap so I just hand cleaned the handlebars, brake levers and stem the best I could. It actually made a pretty good difference in the appearance. They look good installed.
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Handlebars & Stem Installed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Handlebars & Stem Installed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Handlebars & Stem Installed |
The wheels where a little rough and gritty. I broke down the wheels and started the cleaning and polishing. The wheels polished nicely, they could be just like brand new if the spokes where broken down and everything run over the polishing wheels but right now I don't think that is need. With new bearings and grease the wheels spin for ever. Overall the wheels turned out very nice! There is nothing like Campy wheels freshly packed!
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Wheel Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Wheel Hub Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Wheel Rim Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Wheel Hub Old Grease |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Wheel Hub Polished |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Wheel Bearings Packed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Wheel Axle Pieces Ready |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Wheel Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Wheel Rim Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Wheel Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Wheel Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Wheel Hub Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Wheel Rim Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Wheel Hub Old Grease |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Wheel Hub Polished |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Wheel Bearings Packed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Wheel Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Wheel Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Wheel Rim Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Wheels Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Seat Post Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Seat Post Polished |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Seat Post Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Seat Post Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Seat Post Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Crank Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Crank Exploded |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Crank Polished |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Crank Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Crank Installed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Crank Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Derailleur Before |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Derailleur Exploded |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Derailleur Polished |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Derailleur Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Derailleur Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Derailleur Exploded |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Derailleur Polished |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Derailleur Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Derailleur Installed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Derailleurs Installed |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation New Cable Housings |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Top Tube Cable Guides |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Cables Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Front Brake Cable Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Brake Cable Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Brake Cable Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Rear Derailleur Wired |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Cables Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Head Badge Screw Missing |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Replacement Head Badge Screws |
The Paramount looks fantastic, it is always tricky working on the high value bikes because you don't want to over do things and loose original finishes and look. I feel the Paramount is perfect and nicely preserved. Its hard to beat a chrome Paramount for classic looks!
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Front Brake Caliper |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel hub |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Fork Crown |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Shift Levers |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Down Tube |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Seat Lug |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Seat Tube Decal |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Drive Train |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Crank |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Front Derailleur |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake Caliper |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Rim |
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| Marc's Chrome Schwinn Paramount Preservation Bicycle Complete |
ReplyDeleteThanks for this step by step explanation. All the screenshots are very useful. Using that screen shots i can understand this process very easily. Thanks for this blog. More informative and useful.
Back to original
This is another beautiful bike and now that I've looked closely at all the components it looks as those the fellow who rebuilt my SS (I left a post on Joel's SS restoration page) at the Schwinn shop used the Campy components that were available in this era (mine was rebuilt in '76). I'm even happier now learning that the SS (I'm the original owner) was upgraded as closely as possible to how this Paramount was originally constructed. Thank you again for sharing.
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hy thanks for sharing information very helpful and useful here
ReplyDeletehy thanks for sharing this information.very helpful and useful thanks
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ReplyDeletehy thanks for sharing this information.very helpful and useful thanks