On Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:52:58 -0600, HarryB may have
said:

On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 06:40:02 -0800 (PST), Ozark Bicycle
wrote:

On Mar 6, 8:16*am, HarryB wrote:
I purchased an older used bike that is equipped with Paul Thumbies
shifters, a Shimano RD-M739 rear derailleur and a nine speed cassette.
I can't get the indexing to work properly (have tried clamping the
cable on either side of the screw) and wondering if that is because it
seems that the derailleur is an 8 spd one. It does shift ok across the
complete range of the cassette in friction mode.

If I need to purchase a new derailleur (because I want the indexed
shifting), would one like Shimano's RDM510A (that can be purchased
from Nashbar for $18) be a good choice? I need a long cage derailleur.

TIA,
Harry

Are you sure that the RH (rear) shift lever is a Shimano 9 speed
lever?

On the top of the lever it says, "9s Shimano" and has arrows for SIS
and FRIC. On the side is a sticker that says, "Compatible with RD-7700
(9s) & RD-7400 (8s)"

I assume that means it's 9spd index capable.

I haven't encountered significant issues with swapping 7/8/9/10s rders
as long as they were, in fact, SIS-compatible. OTOH, the lever is
from Shimano's Dura-Ace line, which has been idiosyncratic at times.
OTOOH, I seem to recall that this particular lever didn't have DA-only
issues. I'd start by checking everything else first.

Check for problems in the cable, and make sure the rear housing loop
isn't brake housing instead of der. It can make a difference. Also,
make sure the cable isn't binding where it crosses the plastic plate
under the BB. And check the adjustment of the B tension screw; that
sometimes makes a difference in shifting accuracy as well.

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