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Looking for obscure parts (downtube shifter)

Old 04-24-09, 08:44 PM
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Looking for obscure parts (downtube shifter)

So I have an old Fuji Espree frame I am building up into my new commuter bike. I love the frame as it is nice light steel and in great shape (got it for a song). However, I am having trouble fitting my modern Dura-Ace 9 Spd downtube shifters to it. The frame does not have downtube shifter bosses, and I can't find a band that will fit the modern dura ace shifters. It seems they require the bosses with the flats milled into the sides. I'd appreciate any advice on where I could find this part (if it even exists). My fall back plan is to go with bar end shifters, but I would really like to make the downtube shifters work. Thanks for the help.
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Old 04-25-09, 02:02 PM
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Anyone?
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Old 04-25-09, 03:01 PM
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can you post a couple of pictures of your shifters for analysis? It may be of help in making any recommendations.

-j
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Old 04-25-09, 04:34 PM
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Not sure if you want to go this far but how about having regular shifter bosses brazed on? Means a repaint of course.
https://www.novacycles.com/catalog/pr...oducts_id=1273
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Old 04-25-09, 06:15 PM
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You will need a band-on double cable stop on the downtube if you go for barends also. Unless the dt diameter is "standard" (1-1/8") you are going to have trouble finding one of them too.

The suggestion to have dt bosses brazed to the frame (and a repaint, at least for the downtube) is probably the best solution.
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Old 04-26-09, 07:39 AM
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A Fuji Espree has a standard 1 1/8" downtube. You should be able to find band-on shifters or a band-on cable stop. Having bosses brazed on and repainting should be a last resort!

I built an '83 Espree mixte for my wife. Cold setting the rear was tough with those triple stays!


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Old 04-26-09, 07:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Dirtdrop
A Fuji Espree has a standard 1 1/8" downtube. You should be able to find band-on shifters or a band-on cable stop. Having bosses brazed on and repainting should be a lasr resort!
Yes, he can find band-on shifters. What he can't find (and were never made) are Shimano 9-speed indexed band-on shifters. Also, the bosses used on most band-on shifter sets were not standard bosses but only worked with the included levers.

So the opions are; 1)have the proper bosses brazed on 2)use barends with (an also available) band-on double cable stop or 3) find a NOS set of Kelly Take-Offs and use the downtube shifters with them plus still needing the downtube cable stop clamp.
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Old 05-02-09, 05:54 PM
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Thanks for all the replies. I had pretty much come to the conclusion that bands don't exist for 9 speed index shifters. I'm probably going to go with the bar-end shifters as I don't think the frame is worth the braze and re-paint.
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Old 05-03-09, 07:26 AM
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Get a set of the SunRace band mount 6-speed index shifters. Discard the shifters. Mount your 9-speed levers on the band and you're good to go.
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Old 05-03-09, 07:55 AM
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Vintage (50s through 80s) Campagnolo clamp-on shifters have the flats you need. Just remove the old lever hardware and install your new hardware. SunTour Cyclone/Superbe (70s-80s vintage) and Shimano Dura-Ace (70s-80s vintage) also should work, as well as 70s-80s vintage 2nd tier Italian shifters (Ofmega, Modolo, Galli, Gian Robert, etc.).

HTH...
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Old 05-03-09, 08:18 AM
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Here's the band you need for cheap.

https://cgi.ebay.com/SunRace-7-Speed-...A12%7C294%3A50

Anything is possible with a bit of ingenuity, for instance "Shimplex" retrofriction bar end shifters and "Shimtour" thumb shifters:



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Old 05-03-09, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Dirtdrop
Here's the band you need for cheap.

https://cgi.ebay.com/SunRace-7-Speed-...A12%7C294%3A50

Anything is possible with a bit of ingenuity, for instance "Shimplex" retrofriction bar end shifters and "Shimtour" thumb shifters:

Nice, but IIRC the Shimano bar-end shifters were already retrofriction.
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Old 05-03-09, 12:03 PM
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Actually, they were 8 speed. There's no retrofriction like Simplex retrofriction, IMO.
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