How do I remove downtube shifters?

Trying to get my old Raleigh Pursuit looking slick for summer and I was wondering how or if i should remove the downtube shifters?

Once i screw the shifter off i am left with this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26985136@N02/4474250904/

Was thinking i could saw them off? If so with what? Would this damage the frame?

Trying to get my old Raleigh Pursuit looking slick for summer and I was wondering how or if i should remove the downtube shifters?

Once i screw the shifter off i am left with this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26985136@N02/4474250904/

Was thinking i could saw them off? If so with what? Would this damage the frame?

Pic does not show. Is it an axe?

Axe?

You can't remove them unless you grind them off. Don't do that. You'll spoil an old frame.

Pic does not show. Is it an axe?

its a stick of dynamite.

Was thinking i could saw them off? If so with what? Would this damage the frame?

It might damage the frame. I'd certainly never buy a frame where its been sawn off.

You can get blank alloy caps for 'em.

They sound like a solution?
Where might i buy such an item?

is platini suggesting i blow my bike up?

I'm sure SJS do them. Otherwise any other LBS. They usually have ones with a barrel adjuster that you can remove if you can't find blanks.

if it's a nice bike you don't / shouldn't

kick them off with boots.

would you recommend welly or walking ?

Fuck-me boots.

They're the only thing that work on steel.

You could cut them off with a grinder or a hacksaw or a junior hacksaw.
You could clean the cut end off with a file.
It would not damage the frame if you were careful not to cut into the actual tube.

Its your frame so if you don't want them on it, cut them off. Its not going to devalue anything and you might find it to be good fun and a good result.

Its only carbon steel anyway I dont think you would get more than £20-£30 quid with or without its downtube shifters.

this type (slightly apart from the frame - is only brazed on - should come off with a blowtorch. ) but then you're left with a painting jobp. ersonally i'd just leave on - maybe blank them over

leave them on

I have an old peugeot carbolite. Similar sort of thing.

Have no guilt about removing the braze-ons, the frame will never be converted back to gears, so who gives?

I used a hacksaw and then a file and then sandpaper to smooth it off.

Thanks all - will keep you posted