Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the October Giveaway to Win the Qiolor TIGER Retro Electric Bike


How many bearings should there be?
#1
I'm overhauling the headset on this crusty Supercycle.

Should there be this much space between bearings? Should I fill in races with more bearings?

I'm also curious as to the size of the bearings, they are definitely smaller than the 3/16" and I'm not familiar with them.

Thanks!
  Reply
#2
Ahhh there is finally another head set like the Armstrong 3spd I have Smile. Answer is no you are missing maybe 3 bearings. You will definitely want to replace all of those. Umm I think I listed the size that I used on my Armstrong thread.
http://forums.bikeride.com/thread-1643.html
Good maintenance to your Bike, can make it like the wheels are, true and smooth!
  Reply
#3
Well, take a caliper and measure one bearing...

Then, put as much ball bearings you can, minus 1...

There you go!
  Reply
#4
Looks like the bottom race is missing 3 bearings and the top 1. There should be play between bearings totaling about one bearing. Do not jam the bearings in tightly. Scrub your races well with a plastic dish cleaning pad like scotch brite dipped in oil or WD40 till clean. Take a bearing to a hardware store or better bicycle store and get all new stainless steel bearings, than use good marine waterproof bearing grease, if you can, and lubricate well. Wipe off excess after assembly.
Never Give Up!!!
  Reply
#5
Putting this back together is a little tricky! When you put the new grease in just add a little more so the bearing will stick to the race and not fall out. Sorry I looked over my own post mentioned earlier and I guess I did not say the size of bearings. However I think they are a weird size like 7/32. As front wheels are 1/4 and rear wheels take 3/16. Definitely listened to Geoge and bob. BTW Hey bob longtime old friend.
Good maintenance to your Bike, can make it like the wheels are, true and smooth!
  Reply
#6
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll pick up new bearings and grease these puppies up good.

No worries Bill,it was an interesting thread nonetheless.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
3,437
02-07-2022, 02:46 PM
Last Post: Jesper
 
3,658
08-30-2021, 03:46 AM
Last Post: Poissonj1
 
20,530
05-26-2015, 02:31 PM
Last Post: eric1023
 
45,391
01-13-2015, 12:13 PM
Last Post: joseph wolf man
 
19,292
09-16-2014, 01:39 PM
Last Post: GeorgeET
 
7,735
12-25-2013, 07:11 AM
Last Post: SchwinnMonkey
 
21,553
09-02-2012, 02:29 PM
Last Post: Philburns

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Schwinn trike NOISE
Today 05:20 PM
Schwinn meridian rear drive axle
Today 04:36 PM
What was your first bicycle?
Yesterday 04:11 PM
Great UK Cycle Camping Map, For E-Bikes,...
Yesterday 05:38 AM
Charging at campground
Yesterday 05:33 AM
Failure to stop at stop sign means $500 ...
Yesterday 05:27 AM
Bicycle enthusiast located in California
Yesterday 04:15 AM
Moving in Style: Beyond Regular Transpor...
Yesterday 01:29 AM
Do you plan or random ride your MTB ride...
11-02-2024 11:43 AM
Cycling is Anti-Aging, But There's a Cat...
11-02-2024 11:36 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Jesper
18 posts
no avatar 2. enkei
18 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
13 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
12 posts
no avatar 5. Talha
10 posts