Bicycle Mechanics - Bar end shifters, Schwinn voyageur, z408

I can't find down tube cable stops that fit the down tube braze ons for my 1984 Schwinn voyageur. None of the standard metric bolts used on rack eyelets and most down tube shifters thread into the holes on the down tube braze ons of the voyageur.

It was originally equipped with Shimano Z408 downtube shifters. What size are the bolts on these down tube shifters? Anyone have any luck equipping bar end shifters and down tube cable stops on a Schwinn Voyageur?

I need help

Some older Shimano downtube shifters used M4.5 screws. Yes, that's right. I tapped mine out to M5.

Anyone have luck finding M4.5 bolts, or down tube cable stops designed for braze ons with M4.5? I'm trying to avoid re tapping.

An online store that specializes in fasteners should have them.

If you can find the appropriate diameter bolts, Shimano's standard downtube stops, the type that come with every STI and bar end set, will work with the slightly smaller bolts.

However, good luck finding M4.5 mm bolts. The BoltDepot, a source for a huge variety of fasteners, doesn't list any metric fasteners in that size. An M5x0.8 tap is probably your best approach.

Hey, relyt

how did you tap those m4.5 to m5? Did you have to drill them out first?

OH you posted this in both classi and mech. did you ever think to just use the screws from the shifters once you modified the housing stops?

Hey, relyt

how did you tap those m4.5 to m5? Did you have to drill them out first?

No, I just did it by hand. It took about 1 minute per side, moving slowly. It is only a 0.5mm difference. The most important part is lining the tap up straight.

Do NOT use a drill. You could go too far and end up putting a hole in the frame.

Bianchigirll, you took the words out of my mouth, or fingers as is the case.