What to do with unused downtube shifter bosses
10-20-09, 12:28 PM
#1
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What to do with unused downtube shifter bosses
I know some of you have converted road frame into 3 speeds. What do you do with the holes where the shifters went?
I just got a Raleigh Technium 480 that I want to put a 3 speed hub on but I don't want some ugly empty holes on the sides of my downtube sticking out like sore thumbs.
I just got a Raleigh Technium 480 that I want to put a 3 speed hub on but I don't want some ugly empty holes on the sides of my downtube sticking out like sore thumbs.
10-20-09, 12:50 PM
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Bells? hmmm...never seen that before. Got any pictures?
10-20-09, 01:04 PM
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I haven't seen it either, but I kinda like the idea. Put the bell on the left side, and a springy thing on the right side for a ringer.
Now, what to do with the derailleur hanger....
Now, what to do with the derailleur hanger....
10-20-09, 01:15 PM
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Bullet on one side and the shell on the other! I like it!
10-20-09, 01:40 PM
#7
aka: Mike J.
https://www.outers-guncare.com/images..._Bar_Buoys.jpg
Mount a tail light or flasher to the der hanger.
Mount a tail light or flasher to the der hanger.
10-20-09, 01:49 PM
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drill a hole in the center of a beer/soda cap and screw it on.
10-20-09, 02:50 PM
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What is a cap lifter?
10-20-09, 02:56 PM
#13
aka: Mike J.
10-20-09, 06:09 PM
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It's store bought. It runs on a watch battery. I used them for flying kites at night, but they are intended for attaching to your clothing with a magnet. It just happens to fit that hole and is held in place with hot glue. That bike has gears now, so I don't use it. I got it from GWTW-kites.com.
10-20-09, 07:31 PM
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Carefully cut them off, file the area smooth and put a "worlds stripe" or similar decal around the bare spot. With another matching decal on the lower part of the tube to balance.
Likes For Otis:
10-21-09, 06:01 AM
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Another delimma...
I have wrestled with this problem myself. For me, it is easy to just select a frame set without the shifter braze-ons but for others, I can imagine the problem. I do like the bell idea but then again, installing a bell there would tend to draw attention to the area. I would prefer to disguise the shifter bosses if at all possible. Perhaps something as simple as painting a couple of round head machine screws the same color as the frame set and then installing them. Still there, but not eye attracting.
Of course, I have never done this but I am happy to see that others consider this to be a situation worth discussion.l
As for cutting the shifte braze-ons off and then cleaning up with a file. I prefer to not drastically or irreversibly alter a vintage frame set. But that is just me.
Of course, I have never done this but I am happy to see that others consider this to be a situation worth discussion.l
As for cutting the shifte braze-ons off and then cleaning up with a file. I prefer to not drastically or irreversibly alter a vintage frame set. But that is just me.
10-21-09, 06:42 AM
#22
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I have seen people put dice on them. Looks kind of cool I guess, just make sure to put 7 up! Dont want to be riding with bad luck. 
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10-21-09, 07:12 AM
#23
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Some good ideas here guys, but none of them are just jumping out at me. So far I think the bottle caps of my favorite brew idea is my favorite.
treebound posted a link to a bottle opener, I mean cap lifter. Do they make one that is meant to mount on unused bottle cage braze ons? If not they totally should!
treebound posted a link to a bottle opener, I mean cap lifter. Do they make one that is meant to mount on unused bottle cage braze ons? If not they totally should!
10-21-09, 09:40 AM
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Propellers
Actually, the easy answer is just to use a set of the caps that are used when you extend the cable for bar ends.
Actually, the easy answer is just to use a set of the caps that are used when you extend the cable for bar ends.
10-21-09, 09:43 AM
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