I have a 1980 Voyageur 11.8. It is a 12 speed.

But it is missing the down tube shifters. I know that he bike originally had shimano altus shifters. But does it matter which brand dt shifter I get?

will these work https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Suntour-...item4ac0b2c374

or these
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Dura...item27cfc3710b

or these
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SHIFTER-ROAD...item1e7031fa2d

Basically are any of downtube shifters speed specific? Do I need to make sure that the downtube shifter is 12 speed specific before purchasing?

Welcome to the forums.
All three of your choices should work.
I prefer the first two over your last choice.
I am not a fan of the black plastic wings on your last choice.

Downtube friction shifters all have pretty much the same capabilities except for cable pull ratio (neglecting the obvious mechanical stuff like plastic versus metal parts). The lever bends the cable around a circle, call it a drum. The amount of cable pull for a given lever pull depends on the diameter of the drum. Bigger drum, more cable pull, faster derailleur movement. The original maker made it to match their derailleurs. The result of the "perfect match" is about lever effort, lack of lever slip, and how far the lever pulls to get you all your shifts. One (in my opinion) really nice-feeling set up is the much-maligned Campagnolo Nuovo Record. It just seemed to feel right, at least to my hand.

But, as long as you can get ENOUGH cable pull, ease of lever travel, and lack of slip, essentially any friction levers will work with any derailleur.

I don't think anyone has ever made a compatibility guide for this matching adventure.

Whatever friction shifter actually fits on the shifter boss will work. The lever range, pull of cable, comfort to the touch, ratcheting or non-ratcheting feel, and appearance of the shifters is all "after" whether they fit on the shifter boss.

The '80 voyager didn't have shifter bosses? They are more expensive than your choices but I think these will be a better shifter especially if you are keeping this bike for awhile.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rale...item1e75e1a1a0

^ I wondered about that after I posted; he said DT, so I figured I had a 50/50 shot vs. clamp-ons. ^

Given the expertise on this forum, I was pretty sure it would be addressed sooner or later.

I am wondering if it has those funky shimano bosses, a stop for clamp on shifters or cablestop or has cable stops beased to to.

I think a pic of the area in question is needed.



This is Robert Schlatle's '80 Voyager so the braze on boss question is answered.



Post #49 https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...chwinn+voyager

+1 Clamp ons, the Suntour are a good choice.

In keeping with the "touring" orientation of the Voyageur, on a keeper, I would be using a clamp on cable stop and Suntour barcons.

Good choice BG - these come only second to Simplex Retrofriction in my view. I've only got 1 pair of the Simplex Retro's - they are really expensive, but several sets of Suntour Powers on my rides - they give a smooth, positive change, feel comfortable on the fingers and the 'clicker' makes it easy to trim the gears accurately. They are also plentiful and cheap on e-bay most of the time!