***Edit.....Fixed it by scraping paint. Just being a wussy I guess!***

So I bought a set of Simplex shifters for my Peugeot and when I went to install the rear derailleur shifter it will not thread on. The stop won't seat itself on the post all the way and the bolt is not long enough to grab threads.....Anyone else have this problem? I had trouble getting some Campagnolo ones on there too but I just kept at it and made it work. I assume the paint is a bit thicker than desired. I tried to disassemble the shifter and it won't come apart. The shifter for the front does just fine. The shifter for the rear has a small rubber or soft plastic washer of sorts that is holding the bolt in the shifter which prevents me from taking the assembly apart. I found a blown up diagram of the shifters and this part isn't in there. Has anyone taken their shifters apart and replaced the bolts with something else? What gives? Did I buy the wrong shifters or am I just being a wussy about getting them on there? Pics below.....






***Taken from: https://www.ventoux.com/shifters.html

My shifter boss

So does it look compatible? Any help is greatly appreciated....

1) Yes, it looks compatible as far as I can tell - appears to be standard "Campagnolo" (for lack of better designation) boss. However, my knowledge of the differences between the various bosses (Campy-style, Simplex, Shimano) is lacking, so I may be wrong. Your bike is a Peugeot, so it may have the "Simplex" boss which fits the late 70s/early 80s non-Retrofriction shifters.
Do a search for some better info on this, as I know there have been threads dedicated to this issue alone.
2) The little rubber retaining washer can be easily pried out with a small screwdriver or similar; all the shifter parts will be then accessible
3) I replaced the questionable flat-head bolts with some nicer, domed Allen ones on my Simplex RFs. It's metric threading of course, so you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding ones to fit - 5mm X 0.8mm, 10mm long.
4) The boss may need to be cleaned up a little; try giving a good going over with a fine wire brush or some steel wool, then lube the entire boss and fit the shifter. For the record, they tend to be a tight fit, so don't be a "wussy" about tapping them down to seat properly.
5) No, you didn't choose the wrong shifter; they blow any of that period Campy or Shimano garbage away. My only issue with them is that I wish that the barrels were a little larger in diameter. But for smoothness and action, they are fantastic.

Thanks!

I think the flat head screws suck so I'll venture to the store tomorrow and find suitable replacements. After I got the shifters mounted properly I went to install the cables and found they don't work.....Couple a passes with the ol' file fixed that but I couldn't help but think how much of a P.I.A. this build has been....Every step of the way it's been a fight, search or ordeal of some sort. I'll "finish" it tomorrow. It better be a sweet ride or I'll toss it in the river!

Yeah, the shifters take the smaller diameter cable heads which are seldom seen these days. As you said, a few passes with a file is enough to get around this problem.
Yes, P.I.A. it may have been, but you're dealing with French stuff, which is often a P.I.A. after working on "standard" road bikes. But hey, that's part of the appeal right?
The shifters won't let you down - seriously, they're really great.