Originally Posted by
Chop61
Can a downtube friction shifter handle a triple?
Yes. Many Japanese touring bikes in the 80's came standard with downtube shifters.
My Univega Gran Turismo has down tube shifters and a Shimano triple, though I just recently changed to bar end shifters (very easy upgrade with the Rivendell bar end shifter kit).
There are still a couple of good tire choices for 27-inch wheels (Pasela Tour Guards, Continental Gatorskins). Upgrading an old bike for touring is definitely possible, not necessarily inexpensive.