BrooklynPX10E

Thanks for all the advice guys, had no idea my mirrored apartment would cause such a stir. Was in a hurry late at night to get the post up and, if I remember right, my phone was dead at the time.

As for the brakes, I removed and cleaned thoroughly today, greased all the relevant parts. Had on the bike and aligned after far too long trying to adjust them. Tightened the bolt to secure the brake assembly to the frame...and broke the bolt right in half in my overzealous efforts to tighten as I didn't want the brake to shift again. Doh. Where can I find a replacement? Is that a universal part? Sheldon Brown doesn't make me hopeful of finding replacement Mafac parts. Also, one spring seems stronger than the other, could that contribute to the imbalance? My learning curve continues.

Crank is indeed on the right. One issue I have been having that's next on project list...crank arms slowly loosen and get wobbly on long rides. So much so that I carry tool to tighten crankshaft bolts, though often don't need to use it. It seems to loosen especially if I am not peddling. I've theorized perhaps a lock washer is missing from single speed conversion or there is an issue with the threading on the bolt, but I need to really familiarize myself with the crank assembly before I go poking around in there.

As an aside, pops said purchased new in spring of 1974.