Triumphrat

vertwrks · 03-19-2008

When I was disecting my bike last fall I checked the steering stem bearings to see if they would like some grease. The grease was fine but I was unhappy to behold plain old ball bearings. Being a huge fan of the tapered roller bearing in this application I decided to source some ASAP. The local dealer said they knew of no source but if I could find one and supply them with the manufacturer and part # they would order them for me. Thanks ... right???

The stock bearings are 30 55 17 for the lower and 26 47 15 for the upper. The lower ended up being a standard off the shelf item (#32006) found at any local bearing supplier. The upper on the other hand..... closest one I found was 25 47 15 (#32005). So I find ALL BALLS RACING online and they list an item # 22-1053 for the Bonnie's. Placed my order and soon my package arrived. Three bearings, all different, one has like a keeper ring on it and it is obviously larger than a steering bearing. So I figure it was a mis-pick or bonus wheel bearing or something, anyhow. The lower, measures perfect, the upper is the same as I can get locally, 25mm ID not 26. Hmmmm, really no way to know whats going on until I take my front end apart so apart it comes and of course the All Balls bearing ID is too small.

So I am thinking obviously they can't find the right bearing either so I deal with what I have and press the stem from the lower yoke and turn it down to 25mm. What a PIA for what should be a drop in. Of course now I can always use off the shelf bearings but surely someone will supply the right upper bearing ID???? Brent? Mike? I am thinking a new part #'! Hope you can find something.

Anyhow, if you buy this bearing set from All Balls make sure of the upper bearing ID before spending the cash. I will call then tomorrow and see if they shipped the wrong bearing or have no clue what fits our bikes. Post their reply hopefully tomorrow eve.

Bottle_Fed · 03-20-2008

That sucks. I seem to remember someone who went to tapered bearings and didn't have any problems. I can't remember who though.......

Greg

sweatmachine · 03-20-2008

I was thinking the same thing when I took my front end apart. I'd be interested in a kit myself.

CommandoRdster · 03-20-2008

Ball bearings? I had no idea! I thought those went out with chain drive,and tube type tyres.

Seriously,I had no idea.I just assumed they were tapered rollers.That's one of the most popular mods for Meriden Triumphs,and all old British bikes,for that matter.You'd think the factory would get a clue.

I'm in the auto parts & repair biz,and I have a big,thick bearing spec manual.If you can mic your old bearing(ID,OD and height),and give me those dimensions,preferably in inch-decimal format,I'll see if I can come up with a bearing number we can source locally.We might find it necessary to modify/fabricate a new spacer tube.

Cheers!
Bruce

JG · 03-20-2008

I think this is the set of bearings you are looking for:

http://www.z1enterprises.com/product...-30x55x17.aspx

I just reused the ball bearings when I did my front end. They were in perfect condition, so I figured I might as well use them until they failed. I was actually quite impressed with the quality of the stock ball bearings when I took the steering stem apart. A nice cage held all of the balls in place on both the upper and lower bearing, compared to the pile of balls that falls to the floor on some 70's bikes I have seen.

I do vaguely remember reading somewhere online that one of the reasons some Japanese bike makers are still using regular ball bearings on their sport bike steering stems is that the ball bearings offer less turning resistance than the rollers, so they sacrifice a bit of bearing life for increased sensitivity. I have no idea on the validity of this info. There might be some truth, since Honda has been using tapered rollers on dirt bikes for decades (like my old '84), but used ball bearings on some recent sport bikes.

ohiorider · 03-20-2008

JG - are these tapered roller bearings a direct replacement (a drop-in)?

Bob

JG · 03-20-2008

The sizes of those tapered bearings are the same as the sizes listed for ball bearings on Bonnevilles in the parts fiche. So they should fit. They won't just drop in - the outer races must be hammered out of the frame using a drift, and new ones driven in with a driver, preferably... and the lower inner race must be pressed on to the stem. From what I can tell, the 26x47x15 seems to be a size used only on motorcycles.

I don't know if the outer diameter of the dust seals are the same as the Triumph seals - they wouldn't necessarily have to be, depending on how the head tube is designed (but they probably are). If not, just reuse the original seals if they are good.

DBMike · 03-20-2008

Good job JG. Many thanks for the info. I agree and plan to maintain the existing bearings until they fail. I inspected and lubed the steering head as Triumph recommended (maybe 18,000) and I think another check is due at 36,000 miles.

Mike

JG · 03-20-2008

Just out of curiosity, I checked the Honda models in the link I posted further up the thread on the All Balls website. If the sizes 26x47x15 and 30x55x17 listed on this page

http://www.z1enterprises.com/product...-30x55x17.aspx

are to be trusted as correct for those Honda models listed, then the proper All Balls bearing set that would fit the Bonnevilles might really be 22-1020 (which is what they spec for those Hondas from the link, as well as many other Honda street bikes). There is a chance dust seal outer diameters might be different, though.

Normandy · 03-20-2008

I think you guys worry too much, of the dozens of bikes I have owned over the years I have never had a steering neck bearing failure. They move very little for a bearing and if torqued right with grease have a pretty easy job to do. After a 100,000 miles when it is time to replace them why not put ball bearings back in ? Now wheel bearings would be a different story but I believe they are taper bearings. My .02