oneclick 

Whenever I take one of these off for cleaning I widen the lever pivots so they wiggle less. Have for many years, never thought to ask if anyone else did it.

And when it was a bike I was going to ride I would take a wedge off the top edges so it would stick out further, the Mafac ones did and they were nicer.

Salamandrine 

Yeah, for sure, many vintage levers can use some adjustment in that department. Sometimes they need a little squeeze instead, to loosen them up a bit if they are binding.

dddd

Often the "ears" ended up pinched together from the impact of a fall. Had to spread em back.

Removing metal from the front edge of the lever body was done even by the factory in later years to restore lever travel lost to the addition of auxiliary "safety" levers.

ofajen

That’s an option, I suppose. Both of my bikes are using these old Weinmann levers, but with the safety levers removed, the protruding bolt ends sawed flush and with Cane Creek hoods.

In a bit of a surprise to me, I find they are more comfortable for my hands and better for my riding style than my Shimano aero levers, especially mounted on old GB rando bars.

Something about the shape of the lever hood mounted at that slight inward angle just works for me. Sometimes I’m pulling hard on a flat stretch and I have this sense that the bars, levers and my arms are a single unit. Never had aero levers disappear like that.

Otto