Starting from the top. Yes the Record was probably discontinued in the 60s but warehouse inventorys were sufficent that Bianchi was still specing them on bikes My 1970 Team Issue came with one plus those @#$%^ Universal 68s. Bianchis Gran Sport model switched to the Sportsman in 1965 or 1966 so that, to me, meant supplies were exhausted ,no mater what the last production date might have been. Universal lever bodys do fail if you over tighten them, so be forewarned you ham fisted mechanics out there. I consider this to be ineptitude unless you think you should be able to collapse the bars as part of the design criteria. Ancient pads dont work as well as new ones and we have discussed tricks to make old pads work better here many times
BOB FREITAS where its looking like another spectacular day in MILL VALLEY, CA USA