Bicycle Mechanics - Shimano bar ends mount on downtube?

Hey, I have an 8 speed cassette with friction (7 speed) downtube shifters. I have a set of bar ends that I think are 8 speed (not sure) that I was thinking of using in place of the downtube levers.

Would this work? I think I can run index with these.

Thanks,

the down tube boss needs to look like this http://www.andersoncustombicycles.com/DT_shifter_boss.jpg

I think that's what it looks like....it's a surly LHT frame. It has the bosses and I have all the downtube shifter parts on there...the little circular/oval mounts that are chrome colored.

I've done it and found that in the highest gear, the lever is past parallel to the downtube because of the curve of the barend. This isnt mine... but here is what it'll look like.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3503104768_d67f0ae99c.jpg

I see! Thanks for posting that picture.

That looks like a really cool bike incidentally....cooler than mine by far ;)

So does this mean downtube shifters can be used as bar ends?

So does this mean downtube shifters can be used as bar ends?

yes.. have a look at rivbike.com or veloorange.com. They sell the knockoff shimano pods for the barends that you can just throw dt shifters on. I did it with suntour sprint retrofrictions.. they are nice!

Yeah, the paul thumbies work with bar ends or DT shifters on your handlebars just like thumbies.

Update: I installed the bar end shifters as DT shifters and didn't like how they indexed worth a crap....they might be 9 speed shifters honestly, I think I was getting 8 distinct "clicks" on there.

So, I just reinstalled my old Exage DT shifters (7 speed) in friction mode. They seem to work flawlessly and are quick shifting, simple little dudes. I added a couple of drops of chain lube to the little loop of housing by the RD too.

you can sell the bar-end shifters on eBay (they're worth more than down-tube shifters) and just buy a set of 8-speed down-tube shifters.

8 clicks means 9 positions. Remember to count the one you start from so the first click is actually "2". Sounds like you've got some 9 speed DT shifters.