I just bought a 1985 Miyata 1000 ($225 Craiglist find, 50cm frame). It was probably sitting in a garage for 20+ years, and it took a good solid day to get it cleaned up and running. Everything on the bike is original and in good condition (the frame itself is in pristine condition).

That said, I'm not crazy about the gearing and I am definitely not enjoying the friction shifting but I think if I put bar end shifters on the bike, shifting will be easier. I have been reading about gearing, but I'm not sure what kind of gearing is set up on the bike. The front derailleur says "for half step gearing" and the chainring is 50-42-28 with a 14-28, 5 speed cassette. I have been reading up on half-step gearing but am not sure if the gearing is half-step, or perhaps alpine? Regardless, it's not a gearing setup that I am familiar with and I am having trouble getting my mind around it.

Right now, I'm debating between keeping the bike mainly as is, and sourcing bar end shifters that will work with a 5 speed cassette (any recommendations?), or changing up the gearing and replacing the cassette with a 6 or 7 speed cassette (if it will fit?) and upgrading to index shifting!!! Will that also require changing the derailleurs?

Any recommendations on what I should do with the bike highly appreciated! My intention is to use the bike for touring, eventually.

Cheers!