I was wondering if there was any way to make the brakes any better on my '490'?

Perhaps re-lining your bands with a softer material. We assume you have already adjusted each real wheel and the entire system? Don't except to slide a wheel with stock linings.

Well, I got the brakes as good as they are going to get with the old materials! I was just wondering if there was a booster of some kind or if I could update them with hydrolics?

When I got my 1916 from Australia the brake linings were changed to soft, modern type on both inner and outer brakes. They are far better than the original ones, but still far from four wheel brakes (in my 31).

Another thing, if possible to change: Do not drive with old, hard tires, even if they have good pattern. Mine had old Dunlop and not much worn. Still I have changed to brand newly made(Firestone, both tires and tubes) and felt more secure after. I keep the pressure to 60 - 65 psi.