I recently purchased some microshift 8 speed downtube shifters. I just realized that they did not come with any bosses. I have shimano downtube bosses but they are not compatible with the microshift shifters. Where can I acquire the shifter bosses so I can install these shifters on the braise ons of a vintage frame and actually use them as down tube shifters?

It sounds like you need an adaptor (set of) that may not exist(?).

Alternative might be to clamp on a band-clamp having suitable bosses, but leaving the Shimano bosses sitting there.

Or use stops and run handlebar shifters(?).

Are you sure they don’t just bolt on to standard braze- on mounts? Maybe no need for bosses.

Seems like this was just discussed: 28.6 Clamp On Downtube Shifter Bosses

The frame has braze ons, I just don't have the curved spacers that include a raised tab that corresponds to the indent on the back of the microshift down tube shifter. Like this one but for microshift:

https://www.ebay.com/p/2254338449?iid=373334897673

I think I used the wrong term in the OP. The frame has brazed on bosses. I meant the cover that sits over the boss. It is keyed for the specific shifter.

Mine have the cover plates as part of the assembly. Mine are 9s

Shimano used 2 different styles of braze-on shift lever mounts - Type A which was propitiatory and... by the mid 80's they came to their senses and switched to the de facto industry standard Campagnolo style bosses.

Type A braze-on bosses were used on some bikes into the 80's, also clamps. I have one frame with Type A braze-ons. They take special "half moon" spacers that act as travel stops and used 4.5mm mounting screws. They're hard to find these days.





When index levers came out, the early boxes contained 2 styles of half moon spacers - Type A (early original style shown below) and Campy style.



Shimano also made spacers for aluminum frames with larger diameter down tubes like Klein/Canonndale plus flat ones for Alan/Vitus frames.



Campy style spacers came with 5mm x .8mm mounting screws.

Shimano also sold the spacers separately in kits for "Italian" (Campy) style bosses for older levers.



We're talkin 35-40 year old stuff... It gets complicated. Post pictures of what you have and I'll try to point you in the right direction.

verktyg

Looks like the frame has campy style bosses. Is there any way to get a spacer for microshift down tube.

I suspect that a suitable Shimano concave plate would work.

Can you show us what you have, with views of the DT and the back side of the shift levers?

Those chromed Shimano escutcheons, both flat and curved styles, seem to turn up all the time in donated boxes parts at the co-ops.

I just realized I don't need any spacer for microshift downtube shifters. The back of the shifters has a square opening that fits over the base of the campy style braze on. It was my inexperience with this brand and I thought it operated like the shimano downtube shifters with their curved spacers.

As stated. Glad it worked out.

​​​​​​​

A picture or a web link saves a thousand guesses....

Are these the microSHIFT levers that you were inquiring about?



If so, they fit onto Campy style braze-on lever bosses and don't require the Shimano style spacers.

I tried them out and they worked well but the plastic and aluminum internals were not very robust plus the short lever arms look more suited to bar end shifters so I switched to Dia-Compe W levers.



Both the MicroSHIFT levers and the Dia-Compe W levers have cable drums/barrels large enough to easily wrap up to 10 speeds.

BTW, microSHIFT components aren't that common so many C&V members may not be familiar with the term or brand "microshift"...

verktyg

Those are the ones. Yep they directly attache to the campy style boss without an additional part. Thanks for your help.

No problem but, I'd like to encourage you to post photos or links with images.... It makes things so much easier and you get better answers quicker!

There are a lot of good resource folks on BF C&V Forum.... Make it easier for them!

verktyg