riverdrifter

I'm not sure if this shifter is missing a part, or has a piece broken off. The cable keeps popping out, it stays connected, but the barrel end slips out. I've searched and can't find one like this. I figured it would be a pretty common item. Could someone link me to a suitable replacement? Thanks!

dweenk 

It appears that part of the plastic housing has broken off. A coop or ebay may your best chance to find one. I think that is the "333" model.

noobinsf 

Is it a friction shifter? If so, is that plate with the numbers and “3 speed” a separate part? Maybe you could swap out that plate with a Sunrace thumb shifter, like the one linked below and have a new shifter with the old look. I have no idea if the dimensions are same, but for $7, it may be worth a shot. At worst, you have a new Sunrace shifter that works.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Sunrace...-/362631435140

Kuromori

IGH shifters are index. I would be tempted to just try to epoxy a cable ferrule in the right spot and build it up with epoxy.

dweenk 

The OP's shifter is indexed, each click moves the cable a certain distance. While a friction shifter will work in theory, it will be damned hard to locate the "sweet spot" for the gear change.

noobinsf 

Whoops, got it - I’ve never used one of these. Yes, that complicates things.

PatTheSlat 

You can fix this temporarily by zip tying the cable to the handlebars.

I'm surprisingly not seeing much on ebay for replacements- I have a lot of 3 speed parts, I will check my parts bins when I get home and see if I have an extra one I could sell.

riverdrifter

Thank you! I've been searching ebay and other online sites for 2 days and haven't come up with much.

gna

Those shifters are cheap and available from coops and recyclers. I wouldn't bother.

JaccoW

Aren't these compatible with Sturmey Archer 3-speed shifters?

PatTheSlat 

The good news: I have four of these shifters. The bad news: Every one of them is broken in the same way as yours.

After scouring ebay, I can find ONE listing for under $50, and it's the older style that uses a thread-in ferrule on the end of the cable: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Shi...UAAOSwWEhc4Idv

I had absolutely no idea these had become this scarce, and I'm surprised no one is doing 3d-printed replacements. Your best bet might be to go with a zip-tie for now, and hit up some co-ops or older bike shops to see what they have laying around. I believe these twist style shifters will also work on the style hub you have: https://www.ebay.com/itm/shimano-sty...0AAOSwwZtc~buh

EDIT: Regarding the above, Sturmey Archer hubs used different cables and I believe a different amount of cable pull.

gna

Wow, me either. I probably have one in the garage; I'll go look. I suppose I could drop by the recycler, too.

Yes, Sturmey-Archer shifters and and hubs had different cables and different amounts of pull.

EDIT: I found this in the garage:


It seems to work, though it is very stiff. OP, send me a PM.

riverdrifter

PM sent, thanks!

T-Mar

While the plastic housing is broken, tension in the cable should keep the housing barrel seated against the internal metal bracket and allow it to function. If the barrel is "popping out", this suggests to me that there is an additional issue, likely with resistance between the cable and housing. As noted, they are indexed, with the indexing function provded by a ball bearing that nestles into one of three holes in the mounting bracket. The lever itself is very simple to overhaul (see attached). Replacement cables are getting hard to obtain but I've improvised by using a standard cable and crimping a derailleur cable cap securely onto the free end.

riverdrifter

It still shifts okay, and the cable doesn't come completely dis-engaged. What happens though, is the cable sleeve slips down and out and that creates less resistance for the cable. Then it becomes impossible to access all 3 gears, you can only get to 2 of them, then you realize the cable slipped down again and you have to pull it back in place. I figure that will probably lead to a broken cable eventually.

Schwinneffect

I have a 1981 Miyata Commuter with the same shifter described by the OP. My shifter was damaged in a dog crash, but I've repaired it with superglue. I'd like to find a replacement. I did find an Nos shifter on ebay a while back, but the asking price was $269. I did not pay much more for the while bike. Does anyone know if a Nexus 3 speed trigger will work? Btw. The dog is fine, and he does not chase me anymore.

bwilli88 

I should buy a bunch of these cables and maybe some shifters and bring them to the States in Apr or May when I come. They are cheap here, like $5 for a complete cable set and maybe $8 for a shifter.

Velo Mule

Please let me know if you bring a bunch on your next trip. No rush, especially now. I have a Japanese frame that I am thinking might be a good candidate for a Shimano 3 speed.

bark_eater 

Sounds like job for Sugru,

Schwinneffect

Bikeforum posting must bring good luck. I'd looked for an OEM shift trigger for months. A day or two after posting about the matter I acquired one on ebay for 57 USD. If bwilli can bring some select vintage bike parts to the USA, he can make decent money during our little bike boom. I had begun to suspect that the cheapest way to get one of these shift triggers was to get a complete beater 3 speed bike, and remove the part. I hate parting out cool vintage bikes. Of course my ebay part probably came from someone who did just that.

markk900

Glad you found one. Out of curiousity I did some searching myself, as I am in the midst of restoring an old Honda C70 Cub and many parts are only available (at reasonable costs) from Asia directly......no I didn't find a cache of Shimano shifters cheap, but this one sure looked interesting......(and not even from overseas)

NIB/NOS Shimano 3-Speed EM 333 Internal Gearing Thumb Shifter: Red/White Japanese text - 1960's 1970's - Cable/Housing - Bike Recyclery