I have a set of NOS 7-speed Suntour Command shifters I want to convert to friction-only. I'm aware that there's a ball bearing detent to be removed, but I don't know how to do it- I've only gone as far as removing the shifter from its mounting plate.

Can anyone tell me how it's done?

Thanks!

It should be pretty easy. Below is a picture of a Suntour 7 speed Command shifter from VeloBase.com. If you look at the shifter, you will see a red dot lined up with the "7" arrow (index). All you need to do is turn the lever so the red dot is on the "F7" arrow (friction 7 speed) and viola! friction shifting!

Why not resell the NOS things to a collector? ,
and Just get something that already is friction only.

maybe make a few CDN$, in the process?

Unfortunately, the friction mode on Command Shifters isn't really friction, it just has softer detents than the index mode, but it's still pretty much indexed. You can run them backwards, with the friction front shifter controlling the rear derailer and the indexed shifter controlling front derailer trim, or you can follow the instructions in this thread.

Thank you, this is what I was looking for! I tried the search function earlier and only found a thread that mentioned removing the ball bearings, but didn't say how. Now I haz happy

Bump, because it seems I need further help...

So, I got the ball bearings out, the clip back on, and the shifter back on its mount... but it seems very loose, with not a whole lot of friction there. I doubt it will hold its place, so to speak. Is this normal?

I think you'll need to add a spacer washer of some sort, to take up the slack from removing the balls.

Then, also, loosen the tension screw and rotate the outer ring to the F7 position.

Thanks, dddd, I'll try that and see what happens. Failing that I'll just put the bearings back in.

What ever happened with this?