I did get my front derailleur problem solved at the LBS that sold me my used bike. (YA!)

Bike is a 1970 Raleigh 10sp that the LBS changed the cassette and made it a 12 spd. They also changed the drop bar to a straight bar and moved the brakes and shifters to the straight bar. The shifters are the old “find the spot if you can” shifters. Being new to biking I thought I wanted this set-up. I’m now ready to try going to the drop bar and modern parts.

After the LBS fixed the front derailleur problem (for free) they mentioned that they could change the gearing to a triple with a 7-casette and (with the drop bar) install modern shifter and brake controls. They said to bend the frame to fit a 9-cassette was problematic, but a small spread to a 7 cassette would be o.k.
I currently have a 40-52 crank-set and a 13-15-18-21-26-32 cassette.

My friend recommended Ultegra parts. Also said if I got a 9 cassette and removed the two smaller cogs it would work.
Being in the mountains I was thinking of a 24-38-52 triple and 15-17-20-23-26-30-34 cassette. I would like smaller cogs on the cassette like an 11-13 but it looks like those would need to be removed??

Currently the bike has 165mm cranks. Zinn (who I can’t afford) recommended 215 cranks to accommodate my 6’7” and long legged body. 215 probably wouldn’t work on this frame or with my budget. I thought to try 185mm cranks.

Any thoughts or help on this wide ranging change would be appreciated.