Originally Posted by
retrodude
Hi BF members, I recently refurbished an RD-7402 8 speed Dura Ace RD. I'm fine running it in friction but am exploring options to use it with a 7 speed freewheel and DT shifters. I'm not interested in the 9 speed brifter solution.
I have come across this not inexpensive part on eBay [URL redacted until I'm over 10 posts]
Basically I'm wondering if my 7 speed 600 tri-color DT right shifter would be compatible, also, would the cable groove running on the underside be the same as a Dura Ace 7401 right shifter (affecting pull ratio).
What do you think? Is this a possible work around compared to buying a 7401 shifter? At least current on-line availability is not a cost effective option for me.
Thanks for any advice
I'm not sure what I'm missing, but most of the replies in this thread don't seem to address what I read of the question. rccardr did hit the nail on the head though.
The 7401 shifter pod will fit into a 6-speed Shimano 600EX shift lever (SL-6208). I've test fit this, and also later Dura-Ace pods (I think 9S and 10S) and they fit fine. I believe, though I haven't yet confirmed first-hand, that the cable pull diameter of these levers is identical. If that's correct, the 600EX lever with a Dura-Ace pod is functionally identical to a Dura-Ace lever.
However, you asked specifically about the 7-speed 600 shifter (SL-6400). This was a different design where the lever is captive in the shifter mechanism: there is no removable pod, so you can't vacate the lever to put the 7401 pod inside. So, to answer the question as I understand it: no you can't do it. You'd have to track down a 6208, or 8,9 or 10s (or 7s) Dura-Ace lever to perform the swap.
Your derailleur may work with the alternative cable routing, but look out for the cable sawing into the edge of where it exits the derailleur body to go to the clamp nut. Not that there's much you can do to avoid it if it does happen aside from finding a more compatible set of parts. That's the best you can hope for between your lever and derailleur, aside from just running in friction mode.
Otherwise, you'd either have to replace your shift lever (the pod you looked at, in any of the levers rccardr listed that it'd fit into), or your derailleur (9s Dura Ace should work or any non-Dura-Ace RD).