Bicycle Mechanics - Trek 330 Flatbar Conversion

I have a vintage Trek 330 (1988 model). Excellent condition. I want to convert the drop bars and down tube shifters to a flat bar. The intent is for my wife to use as a road bike. she is not comfortable with the drop bar or shifters, although the gearing still works perfectly. bar end shifters are not an option due to the flat bar, or so i assume.

The brakes are an easy mod and i expect to use Tektro FL730 brake levers with the existing calipers

The drive train is a suntour alpha 3040 with the rear operating as indexed.

My question is what type of shift lever i should use. I have found a cheap friction thumb shifter on the velo orange site that looks like a good fit.

any experience or comments on the proposed conversion would be appreciated

A friction shifter ought to work with any derailleur, so it sounds like it's worth a try.

They will probably work, but I'd suggest something a little nicer, just for appearances sake. I like the old suntour thumb shifters
http://i.ebayimg.com/09/!BMcjNOw!Wk~$(KGrHgoH-CkEjlLl7IbuBJkew2YQ7Q~~_1.JPG
But they won't work any better than the cheap falcons

You could get just a mount (Paul Thumbies) and use your existing levers. But that would be more expensive.

On a relationship note, I have found that women (BROAD generalization - no pun intended. Okay, maybe a little) are not that fond of friction shifting.

I picked up a set of Suntour DT shifters, indexed rear, on ebay last year for my 1987 Trek 330 conversion. Actually, I converted the bike from flat bars to drop bars. Someone had put thumb shifters on the bike. The shfiters were cheap, maybe I got lucky?

It was my first bike flip. I have learned a lot since then.....

Have you considered a mustache bar or something similar? Lots more hand positions and you could use bar-ends. I have a personal aversion to flat bars - they make my wrists ache.

They will probably work, but I'd suggest something a little nicer, just for appearances sake. I like the old suntour thumb shifters
http://i.ebayimg.com/09/!BMcjNOw!Wk~$(KGrHgoH-CkEjlLl7IbuBJkew2YQ7Q~~_1.JPG
But they won't work any better than the cheap falcons

I never tried Falcons, but if they're pure friction (no ratchet), then the SunTours are probably nicer. But the Falcons might be good enough.

the Falcons might be good enough.

No doubt, the Falcons are great shifters, especially for the money, I'm just attached to my esoteric shifters (ask me about my Command Shifters).

Sounds like you may have 6spd indexed? Try searching for old Suntour MTB shifters. They came in thumb and levered index shifters.
Another project DIY, would be to try a pair of old stem shifters. Replace the friction lever with the Accushift lever, thus retaining indexing for your wife and the levers will be up high.