Topic: Looking for Advice on Steering Bearings - 1975 CB550

[campbmic]

Hey all, I'm rebuilding my 1975 CB550K on a budget after a garage fire. I'm trying to find steering bearings and had a question. I did a search through the forums and found the steering bearing thread but couldnt find the answer to the first question below.

1. Will a steering bearing for a 750 work in a 550?

2. This is my first option at $20 and looks the most like the $50 kits I see online, but it says its for 79-82 750s. Anyone know if it would fit my 75 CB550?
http://tiny.cc/cbltvz

3. This is my second option at $20 also but does really look like the $50 kits, and it says its for 77-78 CB550s. What do y'all think, and would I need dust covers for it?
http://tiny.cc/lbltvz

4. This is my third option at $30 and says it works for 75 CB550
http://tiny.cc/wcltvz

I appreciate any advice on the issue!

[CycleRanger]

I'm partial to All Balls.
https://www.allballsracing.com/22-1011.html

[newday777]

1. Yes. 69-78
2. No. See #1
3. Yes. But those a round ball bearings. Get tapered. Better ride.
4. Yes

[campbmic]

Thanks for the info! Sounds like I'll go with option 3.

[newday777]

Thanks for the info! Sounds like I'll go with option 3.

Option 3 is the stock style round ball bearings, for a better ride change to 4, tapered bearings.

[MauiK3]

Tapered +1

[Stev-o]

I'd go for option #4, if they dont fit, easy return.

Let me know if you need any other parts, have many 550 parts, trying to downsize my parts stash.

[Floshenbarnical]

Is 4:1 a good source for tapered steering bearings? I know they sell a lot of junk. I'm about to replace my steering bearings & I'm trying to decide where to get them from.

[Stev-o]

Is 4:1 a good source for tapered steering bearings?

The "All Balls" brand they sell is very good....

https://4into1.com/all-balls-steering-bearings-22-1011-honda-vtr250-cb-cl-sl350-cb-cj-cl360-cb-cm400-cb-cl-cm450-cb-cx-ft-gb-gl-vt500-cx650-cb550-650-750-vt700c-750c-gl1000/

[Kelly E]

We used a set of All Balls tapered roller bearings on the 74' CB 550 and they fit fine.

[Shtonecb500]

use all balls tapered.

[campbmic]

Thanks for the info! Sounds like I'll go with option 3.

Option 3 is the stock style round ball bearings, for a better ride change to 4, tapered bearings.

The way I wrote this is kind of misleading, option 3 is the #4 question I asked. So yea I think we're on the same page.

[campbmic]

Tapered +1

Thats what I've heard! Hey what part of Maui are you in? I lived in Kihei a couple years ago. I planned to ship my bike over there but ended up moving after a year or so. Sorry to hear about the fires also!

[Floshenbarnical]

Tapered +1

Thats what I've heard! Hey what part of Maui are you in? I lived in Kihei a couple years ago. I planned to ship my bike over there but ended up moving after a year or so. Sorry to hear about the fires also!

I miss Maui

Just ordered those bearings though. With new wheel bearings, shocks, springs and oil seals the old girl will handle better than ever!

[ZTatZAU]

I was happy to see this thread!  I had read a few threads here that recommended the All Balls tapered roller bearing conversions and since I'll soon be installing a new steering stem on my K1 750, I just ordered an All Balls 22-1011 Kit from Amazon.

I read all the info they had on the All Balls website where they had a PDF document explaining the extra washer or washers that may be required, depending on the stack height of your original bottom bearings.

1)  Can any of you All Balls fans tell me if either of the extra washers are required when replacing the stock K1 bottom bearing set?

2)  I assume the 22-1011 kit will come with instructions but other than that, do the instructions in the Honda FSM cover everything you need to know, and equally apply, to removing the original bearing set and replacing it with the All Balls tapered roller bearing set?

Thanks!  ZT

[Stev-o]

1)  Can any of you All Balls fans tell me if either of the extra washers are required when replacing the stock K1 bottom bearing set?

2)  I assume the 22-1011 kit will come with instructions but other than that, do the instructions in the Honda FSM cover everything you need to know, and equally apply, to removing the original bearing set and replacing it with the All Balls tapered roller bearing set?

This is a good thread and should answer your questions and more. Worth the time to read....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,1516.0.html