robertj298 

My 89 Ironman is equipped with suntour gpx accushift shifters and derailleurs with a 7 speed freewheel.
I'm wondering why the shifters will click 8 times instead of 7 ? It will shift 1-7 and then it will click one more time like it has an 8th gear

canklecat

Same with my GPX shifter. But so do my indexed Shimano bar-end 8-speed and Dura Ace 7-speed downtube shifters. There's an extra click, but it doesn't appear to give enough throw to make an 8-speed out of a 7-speed or 9-speed out of an 8-speed.

robertj298 

So if you couldn't use it on an 8 speed freewheel why is it there?

canklecat

Dunno. My best guess is the extra click or detent may be part of the machining process to ensure accurate alignment of the actual indexing detents.

BTW, some 7-speed shifters and rear derailleurs will cover an 8-speed cassette, but usually only in friction mode. I have an old 6-speed Shimano 600 rear derailleur that will work on my Ironman in all 7-speeds -- friction only. On my Univega Via Carisma I have an 8-speed cassette and 8-speed bar-end shifter, but the 7-speed Exage rear derailleur will cover 8 speeds only in friction mode. It'll click into the big cog on the 8-speed cassette but won't hold position under pedaling pressure -- it'll ghost shift down. But it'll work fine in friction mode, so that's how I use it.

trainman999

Superb Pro and Sprint downtube shifters will index 11 times in 180 degrees. If the Gpx only go 8 maby new enough for 8 speed Suntour?