Topic: 1981 CB650C Steering Stem Ball Bearing Question

[F16Viper68]

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow SOHC owners!

I had some time to kill before the feast so I disassembled my steering stem.  I noticed there were only 15 balls in the lower section.  According to all my manuals there should have been 19 balls.  Before I start looking for replacements can someone please confirm the 1981 CB650 Custom is supposed to have 18 on the top (they were all there) and 19 on the bottom (four missing)?

Don't eat too much.   

Dave...

[onepieceatatime]

My book states 18 top 19 bottom. 37 total required according to the oem parts lookup. I have extras that came from a bike with 19000 miles. If you are interested pm me with your address and I can send them out either Saturday or early next week sometime.

[F16Viper68]

My book states 18 top 19 bottom. 37 total required according to the oem parts lookup. I have extras that came from a bike with 19000 miles. If you are interested pm me with your address and I can send them out either Saturday or early next week sometime.

Yeah my books say the same thing.  I'm trying for the life of me why someone put it back together with only 15 in the lower bearing.  I'm going to try to find them locally but if I strike out I'll ping you.  Thanks again!

Dave...

[F16Viper68]

Well if I can't find them locally I found where I can buy 100 of them for $3.33.   
http://www.amazon.com/Diameter-Chrome-Bearing-Bearings-VXB/dp/B002BBM5NQ

[05c50]

Most of the good "Hardware" stores sell them. Not Lowes or Home Depot, but the little places that sell nuts, bolts, nails, ...... in bulk.

.......Paul

[onepieceatatime]

I'm trying for the life of me why someone put it back together with only 15 in the lower bearing.[/url]

They probably dropped them and they rolled away. Then they figured 15 was good enough. I am about to put in a set of tapered bearings instead of messing with the loose ball bearings. They are $40 on eBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320792679017?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

[F16Viper68]

I'm trying for the life of me why someone put it back together with only 15 in the lower bearing.[/url]

They probably dropped them and they rolled away. Then they figured 15 was good enough. I am about to put in a set of tapered bearings instead of messing with the loose ball bearings. They are $40 on eBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320792679017?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

Thanks I'll think about that route if/when I get to the point where I can get the frame blasted and painted.  Right now I'm just trying to get it road worthy again. 

The 15 instead of 19 does explain the "dent" I felt when the handlebars were centered up.

Dave...

[onepieceatatime]

Thanks I'll think about that route if/when I get to the point where I can get the frame blasted and painted.  Right now I'm just trying to get it road worthy again.

I am pretty much doing the same thing on my 1980 CB650C, but I figured since I had to take the trees off anyways http://www.hondacb650.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5164, I might as well replace the bearings at the same time. I have a spare engine that I will be rebuilding after I get the bike back on the road. Once the engine is ready to go, I'll strip the bike down and blast and paint the frame (probably next winter). I plan on leaving the patina on the chrome, tank, and side covers since I want it to show its age.

Best of luck with your bike.

[F16Viper68]

Thanks I'll think about that route if/when I get to the point where I can get the frame blasted and painted.  Right now I'm just trying to get it road worthy again.

I am pretty much doing the same thing on my 1980 CB650C, but I figured since I had to take the trees off anyways http://www.hondacb650.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5164, I might as well replace the bearings at the same time. I have a spare engine that I will be rebuilding after I get the bike back on the road. Once the engine is ready to go, I'll strip the bike down and blast and paint the frame (probably next winter). I plan on leaving the patina on the chrome, tank, and side covers since I want it to show its age.

Best of luck with your bike.

I hope this helps your question on the other site.  That site refuses to let me login which is strange because I've logged in many times before.

[onepieceatatime]

I hope this helps your question on the other site.  That site refuses to let me login which is strange because I've logged in many times before.

Exactly what I needed. Thank you!

[grcamna2]

When you replace the ball bearings,replace them as a set;if you replace some of them,the ones that have been in there have worn to a certain way but new ones haven't worn...there will be a difference in the worn ones & the new ones & your front end may clunk; I speak from experience. Replace them all; if you get them locally through a hardware store it's less expensive than the dealer.

[onepieceatatime]

When you replace the ball bearings,replace them as a set;if you replace some of them,the ones that have been in there have worn to a certain way but new ones haven't worn...there will be a difference in the worn ones & the new ones & your front end may clunk; I speak from experience. Replace them all; if you get them locally through a hardware store it's less expensive than the dealer.

I never thought about that. Thanks for the good tip.

[72500john]

get a set of the alls balls tappered bearing. put a set in my ride and what a differnce!!

[F16Viper68]

get a set of the alls balls tappered bearing. put a set in my ride and what a differnce!!

Replacing them with tappered bearings does seem to be the way to go but that's to have wait till I do the frame blast/paint.  Right now I'm simply trying to clean it up a bit and get it on the road before I drop too much more money on this thing. 

Re-assembly of the front end starts in a few minutes.

Dave...