Originally Posted by
zukahn1
I would suspect the combination of 8 speed shfiters and likely a cheaper lesser 7 speed freewheel are causing your problems. Your chain and front chain rings are fine. Switching to a good new or used 6 speed freewheel or wheel with a actual 8 speed cassette are likley needed to make things work.
I gave the 7-speed freewheel a shot because it has a chance of working with indexed (bar end) shifters that I can actually find. I couldn't find any new 6/7-speed indexed shifters, but I read that with alternate cable routing, that the Ultegra 8-speed has a chance of working with the 7-speed freewheel and I was able to purchase those Ultegra bar-ends new for a reasonable $75 price tag.
If it doesn't shift well enough, my options are to stick with friction-mode or just rebuild with an 8-speed cassette (and new hub).