Nice story. My parents could never afford to buy me a new bike when I was a kid. My Dad would secretly buy up 2nd hand bikes from the bigger kids in the neighbourhood, strip them down and give them a respray. An immaculate looking Raleigh Chopper appeared that way one Christmas in the late 70's. I have been very fortunate in my career (until now) and have happily been spending far too much money on bikes that I couldn't afford in my youth (Colnago Master with Delta brakes, etc.)
Oh I'm totally with you. Working at the shop seeing all those cool bikes I couldn't buy! I think I went overboard.. up to 52 bikes. LOL And yes! Colnago with Delta brakes!!!!!
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage Thankfully I'm down to 3 bikes. A modern carbon "space ship" with Di2, the Colnago with downtube shifters and Deltas, plus a 20 year old Cannondale mtb for pub rides.
Great story and a beautiful bike. Looking after the widow warms my heart. I can't wait to see the Paramount and through your videos I have a greater appreciation for Schwinn. Thank you.
Lol, I figured my life is not that interesting and probably not enough people dying to hear my life story that I felt I had to combine it with a pretty bicycle. Lol
Liked your story. My first bike was a 24" Western Auto, bought with birthday money. My grandfather knew Frank Brilando of Schwinn and got me a Schwinn Racer at dealers cost in 1964. Schwinn custom built all the Olympic bikes. Road, track and Tandem Track.
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage My Grandad was the US Olympics Executive Director and met him in the 50's. He raced in the 48 and 52 games. My brother was the team Time trial alternate in the 1980 Moscow games. Of course we did not participate.
Living-the-dream! Agree that it's hard not to get jaded/cynical about bicycles once you start making a living from them. I tried hard not to go there and managed to keep my passion going past the point where income was involved. Now I can just ride and work on my own stuff with a collection that's not a collection, just a few bikes that get ridden regularly here in Italy where we retired a few years ago. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for sharing, John . Something about our childhood, affinity for bikes, then the lust for the "unattainable" models and here we are, years later, with a collection of vintage loot! Something about those steel hand made bikes...carbon just doesn't have that charisma or pedigree.
Great story. I grew up in Joliet, and never owned a "new" bike until after I moved away and was married! And while I don't have the collector bug, I simply like riding and working on my bike(s)
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarageSmall world. Do you remember a shop that was basically at a guys farmhouse in Plainfield? He sold Cannonade amongst other high end brands. It was called Straight up Cyclery.
Lovely life story John, always great to hear how people got into the sport and collecting 👍🏼 Not to mention those parts you were stripping off that bike, I think I might have salivated on my keyboard slightly 😊 Just remember though, “zero miles = zero fun” 🙃😉 Keep well and keep those videos coming, always great to see your beautiful collection 👌🏼
I hear ya on the no miles no fun but this bike is special. I have plenty of others to put miles on. I may take it out this year.. we'll see. LOVE your channel.
Great videos John, I have a Peugeot PX10-DU from 1984 with the vitus frame not too unlike yours. I grew up watching Sean Kelly back in the 80's and only back in 21 actually shared the roads with the man himself as we did a thing called Mizen to Malin for charity. Did my first 100kms on the PX10-DU. Theres just something about the old bikes that keeps you coming back to them.
John: I understand your passion for bikes!! Been riding since the 70s, and collecting Klein and Cannondale for years. You know the ones you could not afford when they were new. Love seeing the bikes you have. There something so satisfying bringing a once cherished bike back the street again. Do you ever wish you knew the history of a bike you are working on? The how and why of every paint scratch and ding? Where it has been? Thanks for video. Chuck
I hear ya on the Kleins and Cannondales. Ragbrai 11 I saw my first Klein and I thought it was such a cool bike. I never got one but the shop I worked at sold so many Cannondale when they came out. Loved them. Id love learning about the history. I'm a weird bird however. Many have motives for the bikes they buy. Mine is Nostalgia. Plus, I prefer mine to be newish looking maybe it's because I coveted them when they were new. I actually don't mind the patina if the bike is from the Mid 70s or earlier. Thanks for watching Chuck.
Here's one for you - I'm old enough to be one of those who maybe prototyped the Big Wheel. Yank the fork off your tricycle, flip it over. and reinstall the entire front end. Remove the saddle and seatpost that would now be hitting the ground and slap an old throw-pillow on the metal :"tray" that was the step between the two small rear wheels to sit on. A steel big wheel! Once a whole lot of kids did this, did someone from the toy company see one and get inspired to produce the plastic "Big Wheel"?
All these places in Chicago. What pops into my mind? Toll roads, endless crowded toll roads. Does my I-pass still work? So I got to thinking that is an ideal place for bike paths and electric (& regular) bikes. Is this happening? Even today in February, I'm a mile from Lake Michigan and the temperature is 37F. Can one tour Chicago by bike? Good video.
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage Thanks - I will remember. Maybe, next Summer I'll drive South and check it out. It's been decades since I've seen those museums down there.
John, you are a good story teller , great narrative nice bike. Always wanted a C Record bike (couldn't afford one). How much was a Schwinn Paramount with Campy C Record in 1988 ? [ had to be more than one thousand ] Today my C Record 1st edition equipped bike is my "most" prized possession.
Got a Raleigh Catalog at age 10, studied the catalog (along with Eugene Sloan's Fantastic book) and decided that the Gran Sport or International were the perfect model to get, but I didn't know the prices ($250 and $325), and inflation had decimated my bank account - so I froze. My parents took me to see a used Raleigh Grand Prix for $90 in January of 1973, and we bought it for my birthday (I paid $60). I pretzeled the rear wheel on my maiden voyage, falling down a sewer drain, and my dad got it fixed at the shop. But I always wanted that green 1972 International. Finally 50Y later I acquired two rescues - virtually destroyed, rattle can painted, magic markered, one a bare frame missing a front fork, bent, the other missing wheels and cockpit, but they are both 1972 Raleigh Internationals in my size, 24.5", Ed Litton is painting one for me! I never had a Schwinn they were too expensive for our family ...
Id love to see that frameset when Ed is done with it. I love the internationals. IDK if you saw my videos on the Raleighs. Check my channel. I have two Professionals, 74 and 80. I have one Competition GS, its an 80. Plus one international, it's a 73. Its unique because it has the Copella lugs. Thanks for watching.
Cool story, I also lived in Mount Prospect and moved to Arlington Heights a while back. There is some of us that wanted to come to your get together from Indiana in February. What time does it start?
Probably a mid-afternoon start. A dinner will be served along with snacks and it ends when people want to leave. The last person left at 8:30 or 9:00 last year
Hey John I was wondering if you have this frameset or if someone else would? I am looking for a 1986 or 1987 schwinn letour frameset. I would need it in a size 21 .I am looking to do a 650b conversion with. love your videos!
Thanks. Those LeTours are not particularly collectable so you should find one. Not sure how the brake reach would work with the 650b. Why the conversion to that size?
I had a gazelle AA special in 531 blue and silver loved that bike raced on it for 2 seasons but I sold it (idiot)I wish I could get old of one now 🥲great channel thank you 👍🚴♂️
I have a Schwinn Voyageur Japan (touring green), a Schwinn Passat grey Mississippi plant, quiet rare, and a mountain bike Schwinn Paramount PDG40, then some Italian and English bikes. Nothing super high value but nice. Schwinn was a magical company , till they lost there vision...🥲
Nice story. My parents could never afford to buy me a new bike when I was a kid. My Dad would secretly buy up 2nd hand bikes from the bigger kids in the neighbourhood, strip them down and give them a respray. An immaculate looking Raleigh Chopper appeared that way one Christmas in the late 70's. I have been very fortunate in my career (until now) and have happily been spending far too much money on bikes that I couldn't afford in my youth (Colnago Master with Delta brakes, etc.)
Same here...there's lot's of us scouring eBay and hitting the swaps.
Oh I'm totally with you. Working at the shop seeing all those cool bikes I couldn't buy! I think I went overboard.. up to 52 bikes. LOL And yes! Colnago with Delta brakes!!!!!
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage Thankfully I'm down to 3 bikes. A modern carbon "space ship" with Di2, the Colnago with downtube shifters and Deltas, plus a 20 year old Cannondale mtb for pub rides.
Thank you for sharing your story. My family lived as though they had no money, but I am a Peugeot enthusiasts.
Great story and a beautiful bike. Looking after the widow warms my heart. I can't wait to see the Paramount and through your videos I have a greater appreciation for Schwinn. Thank you.
Nice of you to say. I have the video coming soon of my trip to Waterford to get it painted. Richard Schwinn gave us a lot of time!
Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Hopefully you didn't fall asleep half way through. My wife did.. LOL
Wonderful story. Another great video 😊
Thank you! 😊
Really enjoyed learning your life story while watching you disassemble such a precious bike! Brilliant way to combine the 2.
Lol, I figured my life is not that interesting and probably not enough people dying to hear my life story that I felt I had to combine it with a pretty bicycle. Lol
Liked your story. My first bike was a 24" Western Auto, bought with birthday money. My grandfather knew Frank Brilando of Schwinn and got me a Schwinn Racer at dealers cost in 1964. Schwinn custom built all the Olympic bikes. Road, track and Tandem Track.
He was an Olympic racer wasn't he?
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage My Grandad was the US Olympics Executive Director and met him in the 50's. He raced in the 48 and 52 games. My brother was the team Time trial alternate in the 1980 Moscow games. Of course we did not participate.
Living-the-dream! Agree that it's hard not to get jaded/cynical about bicycles once you start making a living from them. I tried hard not to go there and managed to keep my passion going past the point where income was involved. Now I can just ride and work on my own stuff with a collection that's not a collection, just a few bikes that get ridden regularly here in Italy where we retired a few years ago. Keep up the good work!
Thanks much. I'm really enjoying cycling now. I went on RAGBRAI.. it was a lot of work this year but tons of fun!
Nice “origin” story John. I think there are lots of us who watch that have a similar background.
What got you into it?
Thanks for sharing, John . Something about our childhood, affinity for bikes, then the lust for the "unattainable" models and here we are, years later, with a collection of vintage loot! Something about those steel hand made bikes...carbon just doesn't have that charisma or pedigree.
I agree. They don't have any style!
Great story. I grew up in Joliet, and never owned a "new" bike until after I moved away and was married! And while I don't have the collector bug, I simply like riding and working on my bike(s)
I'm in Joliet as we speak. I've purchased a couple classic bikes from Sumbaum cycle that is still in business.
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarageSmall world. Do you remember a shop that was basically at a guys farmhouse in Plainfield? He sold Cannonade amongst other high end brands. It was called Straight up Cyclery.
@@picshooter I do recall straight up cyclery. I understand it was a good store, however I've never been there.
Lovely life story John, always great to hear how people got into the sport and collecting 👍🏼 Not to mention those parts you were stripping off that bike, I think I might have salivated on my keyboard slightly 😊 Just remember though, “zero miles = zero fun” 🙃😉 Keep well and keep those videos coming, always great to see your beautiful collection 👌🏼
I hear ya on the no miles no fun but this bike is special. I have plenty of others to put miles on. I may take it out this year.. we'll see. LOVE your channel.
Great video John! Alway interesting to hear how others got started in collecting bicycles.
Thanks. Loving your videos. People check out his channel!
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage Thanks John
Fun story thanks for telling it. In 83 or perhaps 84 I test rode a Cannondale at Action Cyclery in Streamwood.
Oh Excellent. Probably a good chance I helped you out.
Cool story, nice video. I love old bikes
Thanks. me too!
Wonderful video John. Learned how to use some of the tools in my toolbox too.
Like whacking the stem bolt with a wrench that's too small? Lol.
Great videos John, I have a Peugeot PX10-DU from 1984 with the vitus frame not too unlike yours. I grew up watching Sean Kelly back in the 80's and only back in 21 actually shared the roads with the man himself as we did a thing called Mizen to Malin for charity. Did my first 100kms on the PX10-DU. Theres just something about the old bikes that keeps you coming back to them.
I'm with you. I keep coming back to them.. 50 times in the last ten years to be exact. LOL
Great story john!! Thank you.
Thanks
John: I understand your passion for bikes!! Been riding since the 70s, and collecting Klein and Cannondale for years. You know the ones you could not afford when they were new. Love seeing the bikes you have. There something so satisfying bringing a once cherished bike back the street again. Do you ever wish you knew the history of a bike you are working on? The how and why of every paint scratch and ding? Where it has been?
Thanks for video.
Chuck
I hear ya on the Kleins and Cannondales. Ragbrai 11 I saw my first Klein and I thought it was such a cool bike. I never got one but the shop I worked at sold so many Cannondale when they came out. Loved them. Id love learning about the history. I'm a weird bird however. Many have motives for the bikes they buy. Mine is Nostalgia. Plus, I prefer mine to be newish looking maybe it's because I coveted them when they were new. I actually don't mind the patina if the bike is from the Mid 70s or earlier. Thanks for watching Chuck.
Very cool story.
Thanks for watching!
Here's one for you - I'm old enough to be one of those who maybe prototyped the Big Wheel. Yank the fork off your tricycle, flip it over. and reinstall the entire front end. Remove the saddle and seatpost that would now be hitting the ground and slap an old throw-pillow on the metal :"tray" that was the step between the two small rear wheels to sit on. A steel big wheel! Once a whole lot of kids did this, did someone from the toy company see one and get inspired to produce the plastic "Big Wheel"?
LOL. that is quite possible. Did you also cut the forks off of a 10speed and push them on to your forks on your 20 inch bicycle and make a chopper?
Great job, thanks
Thanks for watching!
All these places in Chicago. What pops into my mind? Toll roads, endless crowded toll roads. Does my I-pass still work? So I got to thinking that is an ideal place for bike paths and electric (& regular) bikes. Is this happening? Even today in February, I'm a mile from Lake Michigan and the temperature is 37F. Can one tour Chicago by bike? Good video.
The best place to ride in Chicago is the LakeFront trail.
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage Thanks - I will remember. Maybe, next Summer I'll drive South and check it out. It's been decades since I've seen those museums down there.
John, you are a good story teller , great narrative nice bike. Always wanted a C Record bike (couldn't afford one). How much was a Schwinn Paramount with Campy C Record in 1988 ? [ had to be more than one thousand ] Today my C Record 1st edition equipped bike is my "most" prized possession.
That's a good question. I think that it would of retailed over 2k..
Got a Raleigh Catalog at age 10, studied the catalog (along with Eugene Sloan's Fantastic book) and decided that the Gran Sport or International were the perfect model to get, but I didn't know the prices ($250 and $325), and inflation had decimated my bank account - so I froze. My parents took me to see a used Raleigh Grand Prix for $90 in January of 1973, and we bought it for my birthday (I paid $60). I pretzeled the rear wheel on my maiden voyage, falling down a sewer drain, and my dad got it fixed at the shop. But I always wanted that green 1972 International. Finally 50Y later I acquired two rescues - virtually destroyed, rattle can painted, magic markered, one a bare frame missing a front fork, bent, the other missing wheels and cockpit, but they are both 1972 Raleigh Internationals in my size, 24.5", Ed Litton is painting one for me! I never had a Schwinn they were too expensive for our family ...
Id love to see that frameset when Ed is done with it. I love the internationals. IDK if you saw my videos on the Raleighs. Check my channel. I have two Professionals, 74 and 80. I have one Competition GS, its an 80. Plus one international, it's a 73. Its unique because it has the Copella lugs. Thanks for watching.
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage I grew up just a few miles south of you, in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
Cool story, I also lived in Mount Prospect and moved to Arlington Heights a while back. There is some of us that wanted to come to your get together from Indiana in February. What time does it start?
Probably a mid-afternoon start. A dinner will be served along with snacks and it ends when people want to leave. The last person left at 8:30 or 9:00 last year
I remember the apple crate. That thing was a dog!!
Yeah bro, it was a tank
Hey John I was wondering if you have this frameset or if someone else would? I am looking for a 1986 or 1987 schwinn letour frameset. I would need it in a size 21 .I am looking to do a 650b conversion with. love your videos!
Thanks. Those LeTours are not particularly collectable so you should find one. Not sure how the brake reach would work with the 650b. Why the conversion to that size?
@@JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage no reason so a cool build and in vermont our roads are not that great lol
Anything bike related I'm interested.
Do you have trouble getting insurance 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
No, but its an addition rider on my current policy.
Healthy sickness if you ask me and I'm a psychologist.
Thank you doctor.
I had a gazelle AA special in 531 blue and silver loved that bike raced on it for 2 seasons but I sold it (idiot)I wish I could get old of one now 🥲great channel thank you 👍🚴♂️
Keep searching! If your patient you can find these old bikes. Thanks for watching!
I have a Schwinn Voyageur Japan (touring green), a Schwinn Passat grey Mississippi plant, quiet rare, and a mountain bike Schwinn Paramount PDG40, then some Italian and English bikes. Nothing super high value but nice.
Schwinn was a magical company , till they lost there vision...🥲
Sounds like you have a great collection there! Im looking for a Voyageur SP! 23 inch..