Bicycle Mechanics - need more friction in my shifters

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CPFITNESS
07-10-10, 02:39 PM
Just installed a set of suntour downtube shifters. I screwed the shift mechanisms in but they get loose and slide all the way up putting me in my top gear. It happened once yesterday and I got off the bike and tightened it with a screwdriver only to have it happen again a few minutes later. Any suggestions on how I can make these friction shifters stop loosening up?

cny-bikeman
07-10-10, 02:57 PM
You may have misassebled or left out parts, hard to solve over the Internet. The part next to the lever should not rotate at all when you shift - if it does you assembled incorrectly. If it happens on only one side carefully take apart the other side and compare to see if that helps you properly assemble.
CPFITNESS
07-10-10, 03:51 PM
I'll check it out closer. I realized after i posted and left to go for a ride that I didn't give all the details; that usually gets you death by firing squad here. It's a set of suntour clamp on downtube shifters, mated to a Suntour Spirt FD and Suntour Honor RD. I upgraded from a 5 speed freewheel to a 7speed megarange 14-34. The problem seems to get exacerbated climbing hills, but I'm not totally sure if that is the case or not.

BCRider
07-10-10, 04:06 PM
On the Suntour barend levers I have the center screw is only the mounting screw. And that screw seats against the bushing that locks to the square boss on the mount. To adjust the friction tension there's a wire half circle that I can tighten to increase the friction.
bluenote157
07-10-10, 05:49 PM
Is this piece worn out or cracked?

http://www.velo-orange.com/diacoreshcow.html
CPFITNESS
07-17-10, 09:47 PM
Is this piece worn out or cracked?

http://www.velo-orange.com/diacoreshcow.html

somehow I lost track of this thread but, no. That piece is fine. I think i removed a good amount of grease that was on that piece though, could that be the issue? I'm thinking the lever needs to be screwed pretty tight to hold it but just the right amount of grease will let is smoothly move back and forth? its really getting to be an annoying problem