Stem Shiftrs to DownTube Conversion?
08-10-09 | 07:07 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 52
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From: NW Central Florida
Bikes: Trek Fuji 1980's
Stem Shiftrs to DownTube Conversion?
Six months ago, I bought (first mistake) a 1980s Fuji Absolute from Ebay and the bike was shipped (another $70 mistake) from California. It is fitted with Stem Shiifters which I failed to notice (third big mistake). Therefore, the bike sits in the corner of my workshop doing nothing useful.
I wonder if any C&V fan has ever done a conversion to move the shifters to the "normal" position on the DownTube? It can't be that difficult? Just buy some parts and install?
That's about the only way that I'm going to find a buyer .... Your thoughts, please .... I was going to post this in 'Mechanics" but it's more of a C&V thing ....
I wonder if any C&V fan has ever done a conversion to move the shifters to the "normal" position on the DownTube? It can't be that difficult? Just buy some parts and install?
That's about the only way that I'm going to find a buyer .... Your thoughts, please .... I was going to post this in 'Mechanics" but it's more of a C&V thing ....
08-10-09 | 07:16 AM
#2
Buy some clamp on downtube shifters and appropriate cables w/ end fittings that mate w/ the shifters, and install after removing the other shifters of course. Retain or replace the short bit of cable housing at the rear derailleur. Ride.
Are your stem shifters indexed or friction?
Are your stem shifters indexed or friction?
__________________
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
08-10-09 | 07:18 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Plano, TX
Bikes: 1968 Falcon San Remo 1973 Raleigh International, 1974 Schwinn Suburban, 1987 Schwinn High Sierra, 1992 Univega Ultraleggera, 2007 Dahon Vitesse DH7G
You can do that, there are plenty of clamp on DT shifters - however, you can also find some bar end shifters and put those on instead. It would be a much better way to spend money, IMO, especially of the bike has braze on cable stops where your DT shifters would go.
08-10-09 | 08:27 AM
#5
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,639
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From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
+1 I just bought some NOS Suntour DT clamp on shifters on ebay to do just that. They cost me $8 plus shipping....
I made this conversion with my wife's Centurion mixte. Easy change.
Barcons are great as well, but they cost a lot more!!
I made this conversion with my wife's Centurion mixte. Easy change.
Barcons are great as well, but they cost a lot more!!
Last edited by wrk101; 08-10-09 at 10:37 AM.
08-10-09 | 08:55 AM
#6
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,397
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
I would vote for barcons in this situation -- that's what I converted my wife's Peugeot into my commuter. The downtube shift conversion is also quite easy.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
08-10-09 | 08:59 AM
#7
Bianchi Goddess
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28,888
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From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Hello Jim. you just say an '80s Absolute but does it index? of course you would need index downtube shifters. also unless you really want to add new cables you can always shorten the older housings and cable. however as I am sure most home mechanics know SIS cables can be difficult to cut without proper tools.
why was it a mistake? while it is not a sought after collector piece there is nothing wrong with any bike that is safe rideable.
why was it a mistake? while it is not a sought after collector piece there is nothing wrong with any bike that is safe rideable.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
08-10-09 | 11:47 AM
#8
Trout!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 261
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From: St. Paul, MN
Bikes: Fuji Absolute of unknown age, Framed Gravier
I did the exact same thing to my '80's Fuji Absolute (converted it to downtube shifters). I got a set of suntour racheting downtube shifters and clamped them on. I don't remember what the original derailleur was but there's a suntour V GT Luxe on it now, and it's great. sure, it's no where near a high end bike, but I love mine, and have put more miles on it than any bike i've ever owned. most comfortable bike i've ever ridden.
08-10-09 | 06:49 PM
#9
Fueled by Scoobie Snacks!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 387
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From: Citrus County, Fl
Bikes: 1983 Puch Odyssey, 2004 Giant OCR3
I converted my '83 Puch Odyssey to downtube shifters. I bought some NOS Suntour Cyclone shifters (still in the box!) off Ebay and installed them along with a NOS Suntour Cyclone MKII RD (also from Ebay). My bike has a little stop welded on the frame where the cable stop was on the downtube to keep it from slipping. I used that to keep the new shifters from slipping and it worked great. Shifts much better now as well, plus it looks cleaner. Switch it over and ride it!
08-10-09 | 08:01 PM
#10
soonerbills
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 935
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From: Okieland
Bikes: 25 at last count. One day I'll make a list
why was it a mistake? while it is not a sought after collector piece there is nothing wrong with any bike that is safe rideable.
Most intelligent thing I read in this entire thread
Most intelligent thing I read in this entire thread
08-10-09 | 11:01 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
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Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Please consider trying out Simplex/Spidel retrofrtiction type, DT shifters. Simplex made these in both for brazed on and mounting band applications. I have used both and have the brazed on version on my Peugeot PSV.
Best thing about the retrofriction shifter is, it has a balance spring and tensioning that you will neve have to adjust after installing them. That's why it became one of the most popular shifters with many competition riders in the 80's and early 90's. Makes for quick shifting during ride much easier and more accurate because you are not fighting too much derailleur spring tension when you shift.
Chombi
84 Peugeot PSV
Best thing about the retrofriction shifter is, it has a balance spring and tensioning that you will neve have to adjust after installing them. That's why it became one of the most popular shifters with many competition riders in the 80's and early 90's. Makes for quick shifting during ride much easier and more accurate because you are not fighting too much derailleur spring tension when you shift.
Chombi
84 Peugeot PSV
Last edited by Chombi; 08-10-09 at 11:07 PM.
