I recently replaced the rear brake cable and housing on the Peugeot with whatever CycleQuest, a local bike shop, had in stock, and it greatly enhanced the stopping power of my Weinmann lever, Mafac centerpull caliper, and KoolStop pads.
I normally use just the front brake, unless I need to check speed on a long descent and/or come to a stop on wet or sandy pavement, but I had noticed that the rear brake was starting to become even less effective than normal.
Today's brake pads and cable housings are significantly superior to even the best offerings of the 1960s and 1970s, so these are areas in which I do not "go vintage."
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069