Fender clearance
As a 650c bicycle, Silas’s Shiromoto had basically no clearance for fenders, so one of the main rebuild goals was to provide that clearance. 24×1⅛ (520mm) wheels give me that clearance (the used Mafac Racers I’ve put onto that machine just barely are long enough in the front, but have a teeny bit of breathing room in back) in spades. Now all I need to do is modify some 26" fenders to wrap around 24×1⅛ wheels without looking hideous.