"Suicide Levers" were not intended as fashion item at the start. They were a compromise between the combination of Randonneur bars and Guidonnet type tourist brake levers (located on the flat sections either side of the stem clamp) and the conventional drop handlebar levers.
With the Guidonnet type levers fitted you couldn't reach them from the drops and vice versa with conventional levers from the "tops" - Brake extension levers were a much maligned "good idea" I suppose in that it appeared to solve the problem that "sport" riders feel the need to get "nose-down", and tourists "nose-up" in the pre-Sti/Ergo days - I mean why spend all that time going up one side of a Col when you can't view the beautiful scenery on the way down ? Unless you happen to be Bahamontes.
Schwinn in 69 had almost universal fitment to all their drop-bar machines in perhaps as a good compromise for the touring and more sporting riders when it came to choosing a model. We didn't get them till 71 when Weinmann brought out their version after which everything including Dawes Super Galaxy's appeared with them And with much initial support from the CTC members . So don't be too ready to throw out and condemn those levers yet - you might just need them for that period correct restoration !
Bob Reid
Stonehaven
Scotland