Bicycle Mechanics - Down tube shifter cable installation

So, my front (left) shimano 105 brifter has gone kaput. I didn't want to shell out the money for a new brifter, and i had a road brake from my fixie, so I bought a down tube shifter. Anyways, I'm confused on how to install this and I can't find any instructions. What position should I put the shifter at when installing the cable? Should it be all the way forward or all the way back?

I haven't messed with it to much yet...

I had the exact same problem (left brifter went out) and since I'm too cheap to even contemplate bar end shifters I mounted some old down tube shifters (friction) on my brakes. With some initial adjusting (I couldn't get the friction on the left shifter just so and it kept 'ghost shifting' when I went over bumps) they work great and I hardly have to move my hands. I was just thinking this morning "I oughtta take pictures just in case anyone's interested... If I can pry our digital camera out of my daughter's hands I'll post pics in the next few days. It's not a solution for everyone, but I love and and am so tickled at how well it works (and at saving $$).

Push the shift lever all the way forward (parallel to the downtube). Then thread the cable into the hole in the shifter from the back toward the front so the end fitting goes into the recess in the shifter.

Wrap the cable around the barrel groove so that it is headed toward the rear of the bike and then thread it through the bottom bracket shell guide and up to the front derailleur clamp bolt. Pull it snug and clamp it in place. That should do it. There should be no other adjustments needed.

Thanks HillRider! Thats what I thought, just making sure... Oh and i'm assuming this initial position is when the derailleur is over the small chainring.
Johnthemeasurer, pictures are always helpful too! I'm looking forward to being able to ride this bike again, and at such a HUGE cost savings, I was worried I would have to wait and save $$ at first.

Thanks HillRider! Thats what I thought, just making sure... Oh and i'm assuming this initial position is when the derailleur is over the small chainring.
Right, the chain should be on the smallest chainring when you start and the front derailleur in it's most inward position when you attach the cable to the clamp screw.

If the shifting was ok with the STI's and you haven't changed the limit screw positions, the shifting should be fine with the new downtube shifter.

Thanks for the help. Now I just need to purchase some cable cutters....

Thanks for the help. Now I just need to purchase some cable cutters....
U don't need no special "cable cutter," Plier from the garage's tools box will work.

U don't need no special "cable cutter," Plier from the garage's tools box will work.

I would've agreed with you on this a few days ago... However after cutting the brake cables, I've decided a nice sharp set of cable cutters would be great to have.

I would've agreed with you on this a few days ago... However after cutting the brake cables, I've decided a nice sharp set of cable cutters would be great to have.
Your money.

Your money.
Your cables. Regular side cutters fray and leave the cable ends ragged.