I have a 1981ish Trek 610/613/614. A couple years ago I updated it to 9 speed STI, 700c wheels, and tektro dual pivot brakes. It has 35c Pasela tires, which rub the bottom of the rear brake arms when inserted. Depending on how far the axle is inserted into the horizontal rear dropouts, clearance between the brakes and the top of the tires ranges from zero to very little.

I'm thinking of backdating the brakes and installing Weinmann centerpulls. It looks like I might gain at least 1/8'' of clearance between the tires and the brakes, because the centerpulls do not hang down as far below the bolt. Just to be clear- I'm not talking about reach, I'm talking about the distance from the bolt thru the chain stay bridge to the bottom of the arms directly below the bolt. There may be a word for this measurement, but damned if I know what it is.

I need a sanity check. Is this idea nuts? dumb? Or does this make sense?