I'd like to add an eastern US data point to this French discussion relative to Herse, Singer, et al. I worked summers (77-80) in Syracuse NY at a small LBS owned by (now deceased) Jim Konski. I imagine there are some on this list that knew Jim in some way. From my vantage point, perhaps skewed, Jim invigorated the American interest in brevet and lead the resurgence in American participation in Paris-Brest. Jim held great reverence for the French cyclists and randonneuring. He loved everything to do with France. We sold many a Peugeot in those days. I remember a top line $800 LeJeune we had (full campy) that sat on the rack for the entire 4 summers I was there. And a LeJeune was Jim's daily rider.
He asked me to drive his support vehicle for the 1979 Paris-Brest-Paris, of which he was the US organizer. So what does this French cycling devotee ride in P-B-P? A Teledyne Titan! During the time I knew him I can not recall him ever mentioning Herse or Singer. Not to denigrate the work of these two fine builders, but if anyone would have had one of their models it would be Konski.
By the way, do the French pronounce Herse with or without the "H"? And is it "Sing"-"Ey", "Sing"-"air", or like the sewing machines?
Doug Morrell
St Louis MO