Bicycle Mechanics - Funky shifters question

Got a new (used) Nishiki 10 speed road bike a few days ago. Have no idea how old it is but it's in great shape.

The Suntour shifters are unlike any I've seen and I was wondering if someone could tell me a little about them and their function. They're located on the stem, index variety but there are dials on the sides with arrows which say "index >>>friction". What happens in the "friction" mode and about how old are these shifters? Maybe it might tell me a little about the history of the bike.

Thanks.

Kathy

Indexed vs friction is like a guitar vs violin.
Indexed gears have a defined click at seach gear position. With friction shifting, you just move the lever by feel. It's easier than it sounds, and is vital as a backup on touring bikes. If you have to fit a new transmission part which is not compatable with your indexed system (eg a low-end Shimano derailleur) then friction will always work.

Suntour equipment of your vintage is very good. Do you know which model it is? Maybe written on the hubs. To switch, you twist the central part )possibly with a coin or screwdriver, or a D-ring).

Most of the new features of bike transmission were invented by Suntour. The company was more interested in producing fine bike equipment than making money, so was a bit like the Apple of bike world, vs the behomoth Shimano.

The bike model is the "Rally". The cables are stamped "accushift" and the rear deraileur is stamped "accushift 2000". The bike has all of the original labeling. It was made in Taiwan and also stamped "performance equipped". It has a 6 speed cassette.

Thanks for the info Mike. This bike is a mystery to me and I'd like to know what I've got. The info about the shifting tells me this might be a touring bike?

Kathy

All index shifters used to have a friction over-ride. These days its not a feature. They work or they dont.

I have SunTour accushift gear on my 1988 Schwinn mountain bike. I really like it, but I always run it in friction mode because all of my road bikes have friction shift, and because friction mode gives me total control and much better shifting accuracy than "accu-shift."

Originally posted by John E
I have SunTour accushift gear on my 1988 Schwinn mountain bike. I really like it, but I always run it in friction mode because all of my road bikes have friction shift, and because friction mode gives me total control and much better shifting accuracy than "accu-shift."

I have to agree here, I run dura ace fiction downtube shifters on my road bike, the shifting just seems to go smoother, and it is much easier (for me anyhow) to set the derailleur limits on a friction system then a index. have fun with the vintage ride :)

Originally posted by oceanrider
The bike model is the "Rally". The cables are stamped "accushift" and the rear deraileur is stamped "accushift 2000". The bike has all of the original labeling. It was made in Taiwan and also stamped "performance equipped". It has a 6 speed cassette.

Thanks for the info Mike. This bike is a mystery to me and I'd like to know what I've got. The info about the shifting tells me this might be a touring bike?

Kathy

That is good equipment, Kathy. If I remember correctly, the index shifter really isn't an index shift like the later models were - which is a good thing. That is, it clicks as you shift, but you don't have to be worried about it falling into a weird in-between zone like the later shifters did.

Good stuff. For the money you paid, you have a good machine.