Thanks guys, thats a big help!

Re: the comment on should indexing conversion be on this forum, I believe that some models of the Raleigh Equipe did have SIS systems, but unfortunately not mine! :-(

I understand that some of you are purists but I just cant get used to friction shifting, not in the 80's when the bike was new and certainly not now after having the luxury of index gearing on all my mountain bikes! I'll persevere but I do want to look into this.

So based on your advice I loooked at ebay, and found this freewheel:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Shiman...item5ae2ad52c6

This shifter
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fine-Shima...item45fd461261
Although Ive also seen quite a few others which band-on for dirt cheap prices

And a rear mech like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHIMANO-SI...item4aab3ed990

Do you guys think I'm on the right track?

Thanks

Kev