Having worked on quite a few french bikes, I tried to read this thread. I made it about three posts down then saw the word "tubulars" and just did a facepalm. If its your bike , my son, you have the legal right under the US Constitution (If we stll have that!) to do whatever you want.

But if you file off the braze ons (can't remember if these have those) I am going to scream. I am certain someone above posted this. You have a piece of cycling history, a bike that won the Tour. I say leave it as is, and learn how to deal with cables and such.

I think a lot of kids go fixie because they don't have the patience to learn cabling. Gears are actually pretty cool. That's why you don't see fixies on the Tourmalet.

Go get a gaspipe Fuji Monterey or a Panasonic 500 (I ride one every damn day) for 50.00 and paint it pink and purple. Hell, Nashbar has steel fixies for 199.99.

How much is your time worth?