should work fine, esp. if you run a 7/8-speed chain.

the NOS shimano 7-speed bar-ends i got a few years ago came with a little sliver insert that lets them index for 6-speed. i have no idea how well it works but i could mail it to you if you want to try it. the shifters i have are SL-BS50 (but not SL-BS50-8). don't know if the sliver works with others.