For years my commuter was a '71 Motobecane le Champion. Its Racers make no noise under normal braking, but really cut loose in anything resembling a panic stop, which I think is SO EXCELLENT! Automatic horn that "knows" when to come on! Many times in city traffic I was glad for this feature, and, knowing as I did just how hard I had to grab the brakes to actuate the horn, I used it on purpose quite a few times - grabbing the brake a little harder than I needed, just for a second, to wake up a sleepy driver or jaywalker.
I'm afraid to change anything related to the brakes on that bike for fear I'll upset the delicate balance one way or another.
Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa
USA