Index shift a Shimano 600 6s freewheel?

[AshtanoJoe]

Thinking about upgrading a 1980s road bike (126mm oln) from 5s freewheel, friction shifting, to a Shimano 600 6s wide-range freewheel. Are there any shifters that will index this 6s freewheel? It's a non-index freewheel, but I have read elsewhere that the cog spacing on the pre-indexing Shimano 6s is so close to the spacing on the index 6s freewheels that it should work. Just wondering if anybody has any experience with this or can offer any insight?
Cheers,
AnJ

 

[Jonny69]

Well there's only one way to find out. If your frame has brazed-on shifter bosses then you could try a set of Shimano Exage indexed shifters, which you should be able to pick up pretty cheap. Alternatively, SJS Cycles do a band-on pair of indexed shifters for about £15 with the band. I thought Shimano 5- and 6-speed all shared the same spacing, so I think the indexing should work on either and you just set the stops on the derailleur to suit.