Using All Balls Bearings
- Thread starter BigBird07
- Start date
Hi BB07, I am on my 3rd Honda rebuild, 1st CT70KO, then aZ50, 74 and the one I am currently working on is a CT70HK1. I reused or added missing ball bearings on all my rebuilds, the CT70 has 42 total, 21 bottom and 21 top. It is very easy to accomplish during your rebuild process. Have the fork tree all disassembled, apply grease to the lower race, use a tweezers to drop in the clean BB's, 21 on the bottom. apply grease to the 2 races on the frame. Install the 21 BB's on the top race. Have all other parts to hold the tree in place, top race, washer, spanner nut within arms reach! Carefully install the forktree in the frame. I wouldn't do a retro fit and change out to sealed bearings. Save the $$ for other replacement parts!. Regards, bsveal
I've done a number of restorations and wouldn't use anything else. It took exactly one set to convince me. As Dan pointed out, you get better steering and, should you ever need to remove the fork, you'll have one less p.i.t.a to deal with. $40 may seem a little on the pricey side for one set of bearings, but it's only about $5 more than a set of top-line NTN/Koyo/F.A.G. wheel bearings. You can't go wrong investing a few extra bucks on quality safety items such as bearings, tires or brakes. No offense meant toward those who might not be of the same opinion but, in the overall process of building a bike, it's chump change.
milspec ct
Member
Have to agree here also,last build I had real clean races so I just put in new balls,but in the past Ive used the all balls tapered set,and would highly recommend them............
Dan_Lorenze
Member
Balls here.......
martin_73ct
New Member
So if I understand correctly, it is possible to replace the oem bb bearings by swapping them out and repalcing them with some regular bearings?
How do you fit them in place, do you use a mallet and hammer them in?
Can someone please clarify this, i'm interested in doing this on my current restoration. Which bearings do you guys get? (ie part#)
thanks
martin
How do you fit them in place, do you use a mallet and hammer them in?
Can someone please clarify this, i'm interested in doing this on my current restoration. Which bearings do you guys get? (ie part#)
thanks
martin
The "toughest" aspect of the change is the R&R of the outer races. Hammer and chisel or long drift/punch is needed to knock out the old outers. Installing the new ones requires excercising a little bit of finesse. Gently tap them in with a rubber mallet or hammer with a small wood block (no metal-to-metal contact between the races & hammer). Once each race has been driven flush with the steering tube, use a large socket that only contacts the outer edge and tap the new outer race until seated. Then pack the inners with grease, slide them into place and bolt everything back together, done...almost.
New headset bearings will usually loosen up a little after a few miles. I usually set them slightly on the snug side during initial assembly with this in mind. You will need to check for looseness periodically. One or two minor adjustments is all you should have to deal with then everything will be settled and remain tight.
You won't find them discounted anywhere, so might as well avoid needless shopping and just order them from dratv.
New headset bearings will usually loosen up a little after a few miles. I usually set them slightly on the snug side during initial assembly with this in mind. You will need to check for looseness periodically. One or two minor adjustments is all you should have to deal with then everything will be settled and remain tight.
You won't find them discounted anywhere, so might as well avoid needless shopping and just order them from dratv.