Topic: How many balls?

[Don R]

OK, I dropped a couple bearings from the steering neck. Until I get real bearings the question is- 19 in the top and how many in the bottom? I think 18. I did not find it elsewhere in the site.

[bryanj]

Depends on the bike

[seaweb11]

I think just about every one here would recommend replacing them with sealed bearings/

[KingCustomCycles.com]

two are required, preferably large.   Seriously, price those balls from Honda and the roller upgrade looks real good.  I can buy a parts bike for what a set would cost.

[Alan F.]

I think if you wanted to bolt it back together and ride with one or two missing while you wait for a tapered roller kit to arrive, you may be alright.  Just take it easy.  The bearing races are already garbage.

Service Honda doesn't show how many either, but it does show that it's a #8 or 1/4" ball bearing, you can find those at most any hardware store.

[fuzzybutt]

you can get the .250" bearings in bulk for about 6 dollars per 100 from a local bearing supplier like i did, before i did the all balls conversion.

[luder]

sea web do you know a sealed bearing #, wouldnt mind putting them in my 78 750,thanks luder

[mark]

........ I think he meant tapered bearings.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

If you do run a few balls short, be careful, I had a mild front wheel jump in straight line driving that went away when I put all the balls in and tightened things up.  Great tip on the sources for the balls, I didn't know they could be had locally and weren't special metric. 

[Don R]

 Thanks, I know the tapered bearings are the way to go, I just switched the triple clamps from one bike to another and I am fussy putting things back properly. I don't intend to ride the parts bike but you never know where it could end up down the road. The keeper is a 70 frame [hacked up by a previous owner] with 75 f model front forks. I am in the mock up stage right now. It will get the tapered bearings when I get to the finish stage.

[Alan F.]

Great tip on the sources for the balls, I didn't know they could be had locally and weren't special metric. 

Thanks King!  I just looked it up on ServiceHonda, I checked 750K3 and 550K1 only though.

[seaweb11]

sea web do you know a sealed bearing #, wouldnt mind putting them in my 78 750,thanks luder

Can't remember were I have bought mine over the years/

Here's a set now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-CB350-FT500-CB650-CB750-GL1000-TAPERED-STEERING_W0QQitemZ260348800965QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090119?IMSfp=TL0901191210006r3121

[coyotecowboy]

Does anyone have the Timken numbers for the conversion bearings?  (Front and rear wheel bearing numbers would be killer too )