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Will i be able to find this part?

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Old 11-20-20 | 07:35 AM
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Will i be able to find this part?

I've looked but can't find where I may be able to replace a part missing on an old Trek 800 (1998 I believe) that I'm cleaning up.
Per the Trek catalog, I believe I've got the original Shimano, Altus CT92 derailleurs and shifter/brake lever combination.

They work fine, but the gear indicator cap on the shifter for the rear derailleur is missing. The shifter still works, but it'd be nice to know where on the cassette the chain is.

See below for a pic of the rear shifter with the indicator & the front with it missing.

I've tried looking at the Shimano website but what a POS that is - not even a "Contact Us" link, and other places but don't see anything.

Thoughts if people think I'll be able to find the part or should I start looking for new brake levers/shifters?
The cables and housings all need replacing so I'll be reworking things anyway.

Thanks for any insight!!!

Shifter for Front Derailleur - with gear indicator in place


Shifter for Rear Derailleur - with gear indicator missing
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Old 11-20-20 | 07:38 AM
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You're unlikely to find that small piece new anywhere. Best bet is finding a used shifter in a shop's scrounge box or from someone here. I might have one in my pile of junk in the garage.
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Old 11-20-20 | 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by thumpism
You're unlikely to find that small piece new anywhere. Best bet is finding a used shifter in a shop's scrounge box or from someone here. I might have one in my pile of junk in the garage.
Thanks for the reply. If you get a chance to look and strike gold, let me know and we'll work something out.

Follow up question
If I replaced them, i'd likely go separate brake levers/shifters.
Other than making sure I've got the gears (3x7), is there anything I need to consider for replacements?

Kind of new to wrenching on bikes, so I'm hoping to avoid the rookie mistakes.

Cheers
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Old 11-20-20 | 07:51 AM
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Or if there is a co-op near you that has used parts, you might find a whole or partial one that you can cannibalize.
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Old 11-20-20 | 07:54 AM
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Go to a college campus and look for abandoned bikes and see if one has that shifter.

Amazing the number of totally trashed bikes locked up all over my son's university.
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Old 11-20-20 | 07:55 AM
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If you replace them, just make sure the brake levers you get are for V-brakes (if you indeed have V-brakes...I'm just going from the picture of the levers you already have). The cable pull ratio for V-brakes is different from traditional cantilever brakes, and brake levers indended for both types are available. If you have V-brakes, then you'll want levers designed for them.

The SL-M315-7R (for the right) and SL-M315-L (for the left) are likely your best choices if you want trigger style shifters. You can also find indexed thumb shifters and twist/grip shifters from various brands as well.
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Old 11-20-20 | 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by hokiefyd
If you replace them, just make sure the brake levers you get are for V-brakes (if you indeed have V-brakes...I'm just going from the picture of the levers you already have). The cable pull ratio for V-brakes is different from traditional cantilever brakes, and brake levers indended for both types are available. If you have V-brakes, then you'll want levers designed for them.

The SL-M315-7R (for the right) and SL-M315-L (for the left) are likely your best choices if you want trigger style shifters. You can also find indexed thumb shifters and twist/grip shifters from various brands as well.
Thanks, yes they've got linear pull brakes. If I remember correctly they are a replacement so maybe not 'V' from Shimano but linear pull nonetheless.

There is a co-op in town and will check there.
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Old 11-20-20 | 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Cmichini
Thanks for the reply. If you get a chance to look and strike gold, let me know and we'll work something out.

Follow up question
If I replaced them, i'd likely go separate brake levers/shifters.
Other than making sure I've got the gears (3x7), is there anything I need to consider for replacements?
I don't like Shimano's Rapid Fire shifters as a matter of personal preference. I'd choose Grip Shift twist shifters or top-mount thumb shifters, but that's just me. And for Grip Shift I like the ones with the "friction" front, meaning lots of small-increment clicks instead of the three main gear positions; more options for trimming the front derailleur position.

Ever since the demise of friction shifting, "compatibility" is the issue. I'll leave it to others to school you on that.
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Old 11-20-20 | 08:27 AM
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Those brake lever/shifter combos are no longer available new. The good news is they are relatively inexpensive. You can get new replacement Shimano ST-EF500 Brake/Shift Levers for about $20 each (need one for each side) and they come with new shifter cables and housing (but not brake cable and housing) which you said you need anyway. Either buy new and replace or check on Ebay or with local bike shops to see if anyone has a good used one.
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Old 11-20-20 | 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Cmichini
I've tried looking at the Shimano website but what a POS that is - not even a "Contact Us" link, and other places but don't see anything.
A Google search for "Shimano USA Contact" will get you the phone number of Shimano's USA office in Irvine, California. I've called them in the past and they have been helpful.
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Old 11-20-20 | 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Cmichini
I've tried looking at the Shimano website but what a POS that is - not even a "Contact Us" link, and other places but don't see anything.
Shimano already has the BEST and most helpful documentation available to all on their website. First thing you do is find the part number of this brake/shift lever. Look around the unit. It might be stamped on the bottom of the lever mount. And then you enter the part number here:

https://si.shimano.com

You will find full documentation for this brake/shifter.
Now you go on Ebay and search for it.
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Old 11-20-20 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Cmichini
Thanks, yes they've got linear pull brakes. If I remember correctly they are a replacement so maybe not 'V' from Shimano but linear pull nonetheless.
Yes, "linear pull brakes" is the best term as it's not the Shimano-trademarked term. Shimano calls them "V-brakes" and their linear pull brakes are all marketed as "V-brakes".
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Old 11-20-20 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by icemilkcoffee
Shimano already has the BEST and most helpful documentation available to all on their website. First thing you do is find the part number of this brake/shift lever. Look around the unit. It might be stamped on the bottom of the lever mount. And then you enter the part number here:

https://si.shimano.com

You will find full documentation for this brake/shifter.
Now you go on Ebay and search for it.
This is super informative. Thanks. I’ll go check the part, etc.
Another poster said to try my local co-op, which I recently discovered.
I’ll check them out.

Thanks to all with such helpful replies!!
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Old 11-20-20 | 03:02 PM
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Yeah Shimano won't have that part but they have new shifters that are compatible. Shimano doesn't really keep a ton of old stuff around. If they did they wouldn't be able to get me off the phone. The few warranties I do with them would turn into all day conversations about getting all sorts of vintage Shimano stuff and getting old parts working. I really need some XTR chainrings for the M-952 and a left Dura-Ace 7400 downtube shifter as well as a few other parts (though there is a huge list of stuff I would want if I had my way)
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