Syncro II Functionality

Cloozoe

Retro Newbie
Putting together my parts wish list for building up a 1988 Masi GC frame. Fair bit of experience with relatively contemporary builds, but this will be my first vintage (assuming 1988 qualifies as vintage) effort. Finished bike will be for me; not worried about resale value, not building a show bike or museum piece, not looking for "permission" as to what I may use, not overly concerned with period correctness, but don't want to get too anachronistic, either.

On the one hand, I think indexed shifting was one of the great boons to mankind, on the other, my understanding is that the original syncro were barely functional, and on the other-other hand, I can't quite bring myself to use Shimano or Suntour on an Italian frame, even though I know it was done on occasion at the time.

Excuse the foregoing long-winded intro to my actual question: did syncro II function well? If not, I'll just go with campy retrofriction/doppler shifters and be done with it.
 
I used Syncro I for almost 26 years - worked fine although shifts were never butter smooth - just a nice "clunk". Changed to Syncro II almost 2 years ago and, once I got everything fine-tuned, it is a considerable improvement over Syncro I and much simpler assembly/dismantlement. I use the levers with Campagnolo Chorus 1st. gen derailleurs, front and rear - the RD is used both in the "A" set up (max cog 24T) and the "B" set up (max cog 32 T) - which requires different inserts, so to avoid changing inserts every time I change freewheels, I have 2 sets of levers. It's just easier :)
 

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