Well my backup plan is just to reuse all the existing parts. I currently have friction shifting stem shifters and they are fine. I just wanted to put index shifting which would make it easier on me especially when climbing hills. Yesterday i went on a ride and because I'm such a big guy, I have a hard time getting up hills. I will have it in a higher gear to start out and downshift as I climb. Problem is that when i tried to shift, I ended up getting wobbly which rather scared me. Plus a friend of mine would like to use this particular bike if she wants to borrow one on rides but she can't do the stem shifter for similar reasons. She used my spare Fuji early 90's mountain bike yesterday and loved the old school GS200 thumb shifters.

What is the spacing on Shimano freewheels cogs? The things it that i would need a compact cassette to fit on my existing axle setup without resorting to cold setting the frame.

I actually was thinking about putting 700c wheels on the bike (the pads will reach, already tested) and converting to freehub since I am so big. Would not bend axles so easily. I just would rather not do that if I can for now. I like the cool 27x1/4 gumwall tires that are on the bike now.