Hmmm... two major components on my beloved '69 PX-10 are on the "Death Bike" shopping list. I hasten to remind all here that my machine had a replacement allen bolt Pivo stem that I swapped out for a spec Ava one. I think the hollow stem is way cool too. Great for gum chewers to snash their wad, too. As for Mafac "Racer" brakes, what's the problem? French racing bikes are design to go. Fast. Not stop. You guys have never been on French roads I guess. And there is nothing like that certain thrill, after months of fiddling and experimenting, when one actually gets the things to stop squeeling. I wouldn't trade my Ava stem or silent as death Mafacs for anything. Except a '54 Stella No. 4 Lousion Bobet TdF replicae of course. And that came with.... Mafacs.
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA