From 6-speeds to 10-speeds, all Shimano road groups (aside from 7400 Dura-Ace) had RDs that ran a 1.7:1 pull ratio. All MTB groups through 9-speed did as well. 10-speed "Shadow" type MTB RDs were a different pull ratio. But for 1.7:1 RDs, you have several decades and tons of models to choose from. There are many long cage Shimano road RDs as we know, but yeah, if you want to throw down on a 36T big cog, something like a 9-speed era Deore XT (M772) long cage RD works perfectly (I ran it with 7900 shifters).

Recessed nut side-pull caliper brake frames with fender eyelets are also everywhere, at least in my eyes. Most things "sport touring" had them, especially by the mid-'80s. Schwinn Le Tour? A bunch of race-geo Schwinns of the late '80s like the Premis, Prelude, etc. If you're ok with nice-riding aluminum, '80s' Cannondale STs--not the canti-equipped ones, of course--all sported fender eyelets and recessed nut brake mounting (standard reach). Mid- to upper-level Treks in the '80s all day.

Finding the right style--paint, color, condition, geometry will be something, but the basic requirements are out there. And if brake mounting type fails, then just carefully drill out the rear of the fork, use the rear caliper as the front (with a long recessed nut), and the front caliper as the rear, which will be long enough to use it as an older 'nutted' type--as [MENTION=61707]squirtdad[/MENTION] said. I do it on my '74 P15 Paramount. Works a treat.

I've been considering a similar conversion of my Paramount to an upright setup. Nitto B602s from my research years later. I put them on my brother's bike a couple of years ago and I love the upright ride. Knees and body overall were also big fans.

So I'm also a bit right there with you as to setting up shifting. I don't want to use friction thumb-shifters, like how I set up my brother's bike. Too fidgety. Index only for me, but not a downtube-to-on-bar shifter conversion piece (they are made and out there). So it's either bar-ends (too "long" a handlebar, so, out) or trigger shifters, which I am quite happy to use. No Grip(e) Shifters need apply either.