Originally Posted by
Jake_G
To clarify, if I get those three parts, I would not have to make any other changes to make it a standard freewheel system? 80-100 is several times over what I paid for the bike. Also, should I worry that the link to the stem shifters makes it look like they attach to the stem of the bike? Looking on my varsity, the levers are further down and more spaced apart. Not sure if this matters but I just want to cover my bases.
Note that Positron (the derailleur and shifters) and the FFS (Front Freewheel System, the crankset and freewheel) are two separate entities, you can replace one without affecting the other. The parts I recommended would replace your existing rear derailleur and shifters. The FFS would remain (why replace what is working?), with the front freewheel on the crank allowing you to shift without pedaling.
Another option would be to simply replace the Positron cable thus retaining the original Positron shifter and derailleur. You can find
Positron cables on eBay, you'll have to measure yours to get the correct replacement and they can be a little pricey. In the end that may be the simplest option as long as the existing derailleur and shifter are fine.
Finally note that your bike is almost certainly a 1980 model, since that was the first year for PPS and FFS on the Varsity. The 4-digit number stamped in the headbadge will identify the day the bike was built:
