Here's some of the best info on Campy Synchro non-indexing shift levers on the web:

Campagnolo Syncro II shifters ~ tears for gears

Syncro Tips and Tricks ~ tears for gears

The last gasps of Syncro ~ tears for gears


In 2007 I picked up this mint 1987 Bianchi Giro equipped with a Campy Victory II gruppo and 1st generation Synchro shifters. (eBay pictures)



The bike was all original and had all of the correct Campy recommended components. This was my first venture into index shifting on a road bike. I spent several hours futzing around trying to get the thing to index consistently before I gave up and set the adjustment to friction shift.

Not one to give up easily, I picked up several other versions of Synchro levers on eBay plus a number of different colored gear inserts. After another 3+ hours of switching levers, inserts, chains and freewheels - all per Campy's recommended list, I took the last drastic step in the Tears for Gears website - I neutered it by removing the indexing guts.

Yes, you can set the lever to friction shift but with the internals in place the lever movement is rough.


Campy didn't take indexing seriously until about 1991. They viewed indexing as a marketing fad suitable for casual riders on low end bikes!

By 1987, in an effort to reclaim some of their market share of the mid range bike business (lost to Shimano) Campy brought out their "sogno erotico che provoca polluzione notturna" (nocturnal emission) Synchro shift levers.

They made at least 3 different versions of Synchro levers in 4 years time before they threw in the towel and figured out how and why Shimano indexing worked.


To properly adjust a Synchro lever, you need to use a Campagnolo tool #1 ....




Also some self mortification of the flesh.... AKA flagellation




verktyg

Chas.