Shimano SL-BS50-8 Dura-Ace bar end shifts - compatible with?

[CanAmSteve]

Shimano SL-BS50-8 Dura-Ace bar end shifts

I'm having a problem sorting out what derailleurs these 8-speed bar-end shifters are compatible with.

On the box, these 8-speed shifters say "The SL-BS50-8 is designed especially for the Dura-Ace 8 Speed Rear Derailleur. It cannot be used for the Dura-Ace 6-speed or 7-speed rear derailleur."

Searching online is confusing as may posts call that vintage rear derailleur 7/8 or 9 speed (or all three - which may be correct but is still confusing)

I've read Sheldon (made sense to him, I bet) which seems to indicate that the following are compatible

Dura-Ace 1984-96
6-, 7-, or 8-speed
Or:
Other Shimano derailer with alternate cable routing

which would indicate RDs from the 7400 to 7800 range?

And then the "alternate cable trick" would seem to indicate I could use ANY Shimano rear derailleur - even (for example) a current Sora (8-speed)?

Any suggestions for appropriate rear derailleurs would be appreciated. Thanks

Sheldon is silent about the front derailleur. The bar-end shifters are friction-only front, so I'm guessing that won't be a problem.

 

[FINNEY1973]

Re: Shimano SL-BS50-8 Dura-Ace bar end shifts - compatible w

Likely to be others, but I know of these two being 8-speed...

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx? ... AbsPos=235

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx? ... AbsPos=265
The 7400 is 6 speed, 7401 is 7 speed I think but they look the same - there's probably subtle differences?

Never quite understood the alternate cable trick, be interested to hear how this works?