Originally Posted by jonwvara

I think the French in general just put together bikes with whatever parts they happened to have on hand that day, regardless of what the spec sheet said. This one definitely had the competition brakes--I still have them in my parts box--and I'm sure that I bought the bike in June of 1970 when I was 16.
I used to not like mounting claws, but now I can see their appeal--they let you use whatever derailleur you want without any structural modifications (That's why I sort of wish I hadn't had the new hanger brazed on, since now I coudn't go back to a Simplex--if for some insane reason I ever wanted to--without unbrazing it.)
I agree with you that it's sort of too bad to re-shape the integral Simplex hanger. Having a bike that came equipped with one is a moral dilemma, I guess, forcing the owner weigh his or her sense of obligation to future bicycle collectors hoping to find a bike with an unmolested Simplex hanger to the selfish personal desire to have a bike that shifts reasonably well.