My favorite modifications come from the various constructeurs in France:
- Maxi-Car hubs with extra-large flanges riveted on. Advantage: You can replace spokes without pulling the freewheel. (Of course, standard 36 hole Maxi-Car hubs also allow this, with keyhole spoke holes...)
- Braze-ons for Mafac centerpull brakes. Looks a lot cleaner, works a bit better, weighs a bit less.
- Chainrest on frame, and modified Maxi-Car axle so it ends flush with the freewheel. Wheel removal is a snap (unlike other bikes with wingnuts, where the long axle end never seems to come out of the chain loop.) (See Vintage Bicycle Quarterly 1.)
- Simplex seatpost modified with internal expander. A Singer specialty.
- Wingscrews on taillights, so you can undo them and replace bulbs without needing a screwdriver (see Herse catalog from 1950s). Even better, some lights (especially fronts) had a holder inside for a second bulb. When a bulb goes (always at night, of course, because you don't use the lights during the day), it's nice not having to dig for the spare bulb and tools!
- The toolkit attached to the handlebar plugs on the Faure in Vintage Bicycle Quarterly # 2. It's just so cool!
- And to finish, an American one: Matthauser mtb pads in Mafac brakes. No squeal, great braking power, what more could you ask?
Jan Heine, Seattle