We had the same issue w/ all of the Euro brands that we sold during The Boom, with the exception of most Motobecane production. The general lack of QC/QA and the Euro brands "take it or leave it" attitude led to our "Leave It" decision as we replaced them all w/ Japanese production by the mid-late '70's.

It was Schwinn that led the way w/ contracted production by Panasonic in Japan for the World and Approved models. Straight, well spec'd w/ modern components and nicely/durably finished in contemporary colors they could be assembled in 1/2 the time of any Euro bike w/o any warranty claims. Better yet, the customers loved them.

Post WWII Japanese industry, including the bicycle industry, became devotes of W. Edwards Deming, the "Father of Quality" while Euro industry descended into a fatal death spiral of lousy management, lack of QA/QC and industrial unrest.

That being said I still ride my '74 Carlton built International regularly in it's 42nd year of service, a great traditional British club riders' machine then/now.

-Bandera