Hi all! Picked up an old handbuilt Peter Mooney from FB marketplace. Emailed his shop up in MA and found out it was built in 1985.

Dura Ace 7400, Campy Chorus hubs laced to Mavic Open 4 CD rims, Liberator Ti-Race saddle, Modolo X-Tenos stem/bars...

Bike rides great but still needs some adjustment, new cables, etc. Had a few questions though:

1. I will be swapping out bars for something getting the hoods up a little higher. However, I'm trying to figure out if stem should go too. Apparently the X-Tenos stems have a reputation for failure, especially those with "flat" bottom (which this has--later models were rounded to remove this failure point, apparently). Anyone know if the reputation of these stems is deserved or not? If so, I'd probably just swap out with an old Cinelli quill stem.

2. Wheels are true and feel excellent, and I love the high flange Chorus hubs. That said, the brake track looks terrible... Any idea how to refurb this and make it look less ****ty? Looks like some abrasive might do the trick but I've never had to do it before.

Thanks for any help!