PolarBear007

Sooo, while putting on my nifty new touring bar, I had to remove the shifters and brake levers. No problem, usually. However, as the shifter was a-dangling from the cable it became caught up in the spokes of the front wheel. As I was sitting on the bike (with no brakes) it rolled forward past the fork and subsequently broke the plastic housing for the shifter for the rear cassette/hub.

I have the 2 pieces, but I don't they will glue back together very well (but I'm not a bike mechanic either.....though competent with cars/trucks/etc).

The bike is a '90 Schwinn High Plains with pretty much all original equipment (except the consumables) so replacement parts are tough to come by and I don't want to spend for a new shifter.

So now the gearing in the shifter is exposed to the outside (nice for cleaning - not so nice for keeping out water/sand/junk).

Any ideas on how I may fix this?

Andrew R Stewart 

I thought that the Op meant that the casing/cable housing was damaged. But reading the text i now believe that the plastic covers on the shift lever is what is broken. A photo would have explained all. Andy.

Phil_gretz

That's a decent, serviceable bike. I like it, from my 2-minute google search.

Three options:
1) If the shifter still functions, find a way to secure the broken cover onto the shifter. I can't recall if 2000GS shifters required the cover off to change the cable, as that would be a consideration if you choose the simple "crazy glue" route.

2) Buy a new set of combination 3x7/cantilever levers on eBay. ST-EF51 is 3x7 flat bar with levers for v-brake or cantilevers. They're cheap and work fine. I've used them on two bikes in the last year. ~$25 delivered from Taiwan.

3) Find a used 7-speed shifter/caliper lever combination on eBay. Might be a bit less than the new set, but you may wind up with a shifter that has some play or wear, and you won't know until you try it.


Good luck.

PolarBear007

You're right - a picture is worth a 1,000 words.... So here's 3,000 words!

Broken shifter housing:


Top side of shifter housing:


and another pic of broken shifter housing:



Thanks Phil_gretz for the suggestion, but right now I'm not wanting to add another expense to the bike (I was also planning on having it powder coated - though that may have to wait....).

I have the 2 pieces which are broken off so they're not lost; I'm wondering if a "Crazy Glue" fix would work (thinking probably not....) and if not, then what/how?

Andrew R Stewart 

Sure, try a glued fix. It won't be any worse. If the internals work fine then I'd use the pod and just do a periodic cleaning with a lube application. But I'd also be looking though the used boxes/piles of shift pods in the various shops I could visit in the hope of finding an intact cover of the same model. Andy.

fietsbob

Discontinued parts, 24 years out of production? 7 speed ? how about friction thumb shifters?

I'm using thumb shifters without indexing , I can still ride the bike fine.

dbg

OK. Where do I send these? (found identical shifters in a junk box very soon to be tossed. they probably need a WD40 bath.)
BTW, I would still advise getting new 7-spd trigger shifter from ebay or Amazon for $10 to $15. These are clunky.

Al1943

I would try Locktite superglue, the clear type available in grocery stores etc.

PolarBear007

HUGE THANKS!!!!!

I can't send PM yet as I have less than the required 50 posts..... I'm in Colorado Springs though. If you PM me, I believe I can reply..?

xenologer

is it the camera angle or do you have those shifters mounted upside down? they hang underneath the bars, to be operated by thumb. not topside like oldschool friction levers....

PolarBear007

HUGE THANKS and appreciation to dbg!!!

He not only found a solution to my (self-inflicted/blatant idiocy) problem, HE SENT ME THE PART TO FIX IT AND PAID THE SHIPPING TOO!

I even offered to pay for shipping and nope, no reply to that.

Thanks dbg! The shifter is identical to the one I broke and works perfectly!

I'll try to get some pics up (and after I re-tape my 'on-the-cheap' trekking bar)

RubeRad

I have a pair of those shifters too, but the right/rear shifter doesn't work right -- but my plastic cover is OK.

PolarBear007, after you replace with shifter(s) from dbg, instead of chucking your right (or right+left) shifter into the trash, would you mind sending it (them) to me in San Diego? I can paypal you some shipping.

PolarBear007

NO problem at all!!! You'll have to PM me your physical address and no worries on the postage !!!!

RubeRad

PM sent. Thanks PolarBear -- and I guess I should say thanks dbg for starting the chain reaction!

PolarBear007

To close out this thread, I'm lifting up Big Thanks! to user dbg for the new-to-me STI shifter set. They're working perfectly on my '90 Schwinn High Plains.

Also, RubeRad, the broken one you requested should be arriving today to tomorrow.

RubeRad

Fantastic! Thx again to PolarBear and dbg