if your going to stay with friction a trip to your bike shop, or even the 'trade' thread, should turn up a pair shifters with a clamp. suprisingly most of the Suntour stuff on ebay is pricy. this would make a great addition to the bike. they are only $60 on ebay.
Oh I don't want to get into a whole CL thing, but wasn't that free spirit about $99 new?
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk