Ray,

Here's my take on this -- I've got a similarly-aged bike, which at present has 6 cogs on the back with a triple crankset.

1. If it's got 6 speeds, it may already have index shifting. If it's got Shimano components, check the rear shifter. The ring around the center mounting bolt will say "SIS" if it does. Lift the little D-ring and turn it so the arrow points to SIS to activate it.

2. As far as bar-ends go, I find them more convenient than downtube shifters. I happen to have a set of Shimano 6-speed SIS bar-ends in my parts drawer at home. If you'd like to put them to use, e-mail me with a shipping address.

3. To upgrade to STI shifter/levers you need to go to at least 7 speeds on the back. You can probably go with a 7-speed freewheel on your existing rear hub, or find a 7, 8, or 9-speed rear freehub/wheel. A 7-speed rear hub should fit without any need to spread the frame. 8/9 speed will require the frame to be spread for the wider rear hub.

I also happen to have acquired a pair of 7-speed RSX STI shifter/levers which I do not need. These would not be free-of-charge, but I'd be pretty flexible on price. We can talk privately.

BTW, according to Sheldon Brown's web site, you can fit 8 cogs onto a 7-speed freehub using 8 cogs from a 9-speed cassette, along with 9-speed shifters and chain. His shop, Harris Cyclery, also happens to have some 7-speed Shimano 105 freehubs in stock, either to purchase outright or to be built into a wheelset.

That's my planned upgrade path -- 7-speed hubs with 9-speed components, using 9-speed bar-end shifters to get 8 speeds in back without having to spread the frame.

SteveF