A lot of these older derailers stayed on the scene long enough for their owners to substitute a narrower chain such as Sedisport.

These 1st-gen bushingless chains had issues with front shifting in quite a few cases, and with chain-skating on certain freewheels as well.

Most new bikes with backwards Suntour front derailers shifted promptly, at least as I recall, and still do, at least with newer chains such as HG70 and similar KMC chains. A couple of my bikes have Compe V's and they seem fine, even as I have to adjust to their direction in life.