Classic & Vintage - Mafac brake lever reach

Hello Forum!

My girlfriend and I are the proud new caretakers of her mother's old Peugeot tandem. It was purchased in '81 (I hope that qualifies for this forum) and is still has most of its stock components.

I'm finding the reach of the brake levers to be awkwardly long, and I don't know if it is just a bad set up or a weird handlebar/lever combination or if everything is actually 'right' but just feels wrong to me since all I know is more modern levers.

Here's a picture of the set up:
http://picasaweb.google.com/r.mrphy/Peugeot#5463351261104989874

Those are the original Mafac levers operating the original Mafac cantilever brakes. I'm not sure of the model.

If there is anything you all could clue me into, I would appreciate it. Thanks so much!

a peugeot tandem and we only get one pic? it looks normal but it does look like a real stretch to get to the levers. hopefully the MAFAC experts will have some advice later when they check in. if you ride this alot I would take those levers off put them in a drawer and put something else on, maybe some old Modolos or Suntour. it looks great from what little we can see

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DWqa0whinQA/S9G5BqFYZrI/AAAAAAAAAUA/wVlbHFvygRY/s640/DSCN2279.JPG

I'm finding the reach of the brake levers to be awkwardly long, and I don't know if it is just a bad set up or a weird handlebar/lever combination or if everything is actually 'right' but just feels wrong to me since all I know is more modern levers.

It isn't out of the ordinary for those particular Mafac levers. Say "hello" to the Bat Bike:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/raleigh_comp_nott_24.jpg

-Kurt

As far as switching out the levers, good luck. Tandem levers other than mafac are hard to find.
My only guess would be to try a different bend of handlebars.

I have mafac levers on my tandem because their reach is so long. I like to be able to really crank on them without bottoming out, and the tandem cantis have a significant amount of flex.