Topic: Steering head bearings

[beemerbum]

Would it border on insanity to want to replace notchy stock ball bearings in the steering with new ball bearings as opposed to tapered bearings? Has anyone done this? If so, where do  you find races and balls to replace the stock set-up? 1972 750K2

[newday777]

Not bordering on..... If you are doing a 100% restoration.
But......

Total Insanity if you value good handling.

https://parts.southernhonda.com/a/Honda_1972_CB750K2/_51518_6253369/STEERING-STEM/143410_F14341010F.html

[beemerbum]

Thanks for the information. I never ride my CB 750's at speeds where handling is an issue.

[Stev-o]

Thanks for the information. I never ride my CB 750's at speeds where handling is an issue.

Then why bother to change them?

[newday777]

Thanks for the information. I never ride my CB 750's at speeds where handling is an issue.

😞

[bryanj]

Std ball race kits can be found on ebay, at least in UK they can and as the originals lasted this long why not replace with same, tapers go notchy just the same.

EDIT
274600371699 is an ebay number for 500 i think 750 is the same

[robvangulik]

Std ball race kits can be found on ebay, at least in UK they can and as the originals lasted this long why not replace with same, tapers go notchy just the same.

EDIT
274600371699 is an ebay number for 500 i think 750 is the same

+1, and tapered bearings require more force to turn, not much, but you can feel the difference!
My '87 CBR1000F still runs with the ballbearings it was built with, 350k km ago (200k+ miles), just kept them greased up nicely.

[ekpent]

 Its usually the races the bearings roll in that go bad rather then the actual steel ball bearings. If I had it down that far and wasn't doing a 100 point resto I would slip in a roller kit.

[Bodi]

Not really advising to use either, but the job is pretty much the same either way. You have to re/re the races and use new balls, or remove the races and install the roller ones and roller cage assembly.
The OEM setup is fine in my opinion, and as mentioned it often goes trouble free for decades. Failure is usually from lack of maintenance, they should be repacked every 5 or 10 years at least. And you don't have to fiddle with spacers and such, the original setup and shield are unchaged.
But if you like the roller bearing mod, which is inarguably stronger, go for it.

[ekpent]

 Have a couple extra ball bearings around for extra's when you start dropping them     

[jonda500]

IMO there is no handling advantage in using tapered rollers.
John