Tapered bearings

General forum on frames, brakes, suspension, wheels and tires

Moderator: rztom

Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
Juicebox
Posts: 450
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 4:50 pm
Location: sconsin

Tapered bearings

#1 Post by Juicebox » Thu Jul 24, 2014 11:40 pm

Is there a way to purchase just the little beveled "trays" that tapered steering head bearings sit in (top and bottom)? I am moving my VJ22 front end from one frame to another, and I dont think I can get those little trays out of the first frame without damaging them. The bearings are brand new, and I wanted to know if I might be able to save a buck by purchasing just the "trays" instead of the whole bearing kit.

User avatar
JonW
Posts: 10600
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:33 am
Location: Sydney
Contact:

Re: Tapered bearings

#2 Post by JonW » Fri Jul 25, 2014 12:05 am

There are plenty of reasons why you should just buy new bearings, and its not like they cost a fortune...
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

silverstrom
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 7030
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:20 am

Re: Tapered bearings

#3 Post by silverstrom » Fri Jul 25, 2014 1:01 am

By trays I take it you mean the races. If you went to a bearing shop you might be able to find something, but as Jon says, just buy a new kit. They're cheap and they're important. New always wins that argument.

If you are certain you don't want to spend the money you can try heating the steering head. That might give you enough room to drive the races out. Just make sure they don't hit the floor or you will be buying new ones.

hondaror
Posts: 2828
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Tapered bearings

#4 Post by hondaror » Fri Jul 25, 2014 1:29 am

Don't try and reuse. The races are easily damaged if extracted even if heated, they can crack as they are very hard and thus brittle. Buy a new set and include the bearings with the old unit.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

User avatar
Juicebox
Posts: 450
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 4:50 pm
Location: sconsin

Re: Tapered bearings

#5 Post by Juicebox » Fri Jul 25, 2014 1:42 am

I figured. It's just that the bearings are brand new...zero miles. I put them in the first frame, and there it sat. So I just thought that if the races were easily procured......why not? I will get a 2nd set and leave one set in the non-used frame. By the way, if anyone is looking for a beautifully powder coated red frame, with a title, and tapered bearings, and the center stand mounts cut off.....hit me up. :smt003

hondaror
Posts: 2828
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Tapered bearings

#6 Post by hondaror » Fri Jul 25, 2014 1:44 am

Where are you located?
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

User avatar
Juicebox
Posts: 450
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 4:50 pm
Location: sconsin

Re: Tapered bearings

#7 Post by Juicebox » Fri Jul 25, 2014 3:01 am

I am in Wisconsin.....about 1 hour south of Green Bay.

bitzz
Posts: 121
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:54 pm
Location: Omemee, Canada

Re: Tapered bearings

#8 Post by bitzz » Wed Jul 30, 2014 6:28 pm

Automotive taper bearings are sold as cups and cones (2 part numbers for each bearing set).
I have never seen motorcycle steering head bearings sold that way.
Motorcycle steering head bearings are usually propriatory sizes so not available through bearing houses.

User avatar
mountaincycle
-----
-----
Posts: 179
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 4:03 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: Tapered bearings

#9 Post by mountaincycle » Wed Jul 30, 2014 6:42 pm

Have you checked with All Balls Racing? look under "Fork Conversion"
http://www.allballsracing.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

good luck!

User avatar
RZResurection
Posts: 1233
Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:51 pm

Re: Tapered bearings

#10 Post by RZResurection » Thu Jul 31, 2014 5:52 am

bitzz wrote:Automotive taper bearings are sold as cups and cones (2 part numbers for each bearing set).
I have never seen motorcycle steering head bearings sold that way.
Motorcycle steering head bearings are usually propriatory sizes so not available through bearing houses.
I went to my local bearing house to purchase tapered bearings for my R1 front end conversion. Just needed to know ID and OD. Nothing special about sizes - pretty common in fact. They walked to the shelf and picked one off.

Do replace the cup and cone together - always
Jeff

Trying to build a bike that's as fast as my memories
87 Canadian 1WV
OEM Pipes
Gutted Airbox
VF4 Reeds
Milled Head (0.020")
Main 240
Pilot 27.5
02 R1 Front End
R6 Shock and Rims (180 Rear Tire)
84 FJ1100 Swingarm

User avatar
kpke
-----
-----
Posts: 2531
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 2:22 pm
Location: Livermore, CA

Re: Tapered bearings

#11 Post by kpke » Thu Jul 31, 2014 12:12 pm

I have contacted allballs customer service in the past to inquire about purchasing individual parts. They were very helpful and gave me part numbers to order. :smt023 If I remember correctly though, once I added shipping to the cost it was not economical. :smt012

User avatar
T.RexRacing
Posts: 1318
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:34 pm
Location: back in the hills

Re: Tapered bearings

#12 Post by T.RexRacing » Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:57 pm

I'm going back to ball bearings. Tapered bearings are just a bitch to adjust and I cannot get the feel I like from them on the RZ. The Tuono has spoiled me for steering feel.

I'm trying to find angular contact bearings. Can anyone help me with ID/OD for the RZ?
There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad.
Salvador Dali

hondaror
Posts: 2828
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Tapered bearings

#13 Post by hondaror » Sat Aug 02, 2014 2:27 am

I'm unsure of what you are talking about. Simple to set up, but what are you looking for, for feel?

We had a guy come into the shop today with his tapers installed up-side-down. Some peoples kids!
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

User avatar
T.RexRacing
Posts: 1318
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:34 pm
Location: back in the hills

Re: Tapered bearings

#14 Post by T.RexRacing » Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:36 am

I'm a factory trained motorcycle tech with 30 years experience.

The tapereds have given me a slight straight line weave coming out of high speed sweepers I cannot adjust away. I simply seek the measurements so I can find a angular contact ball bearing set to replace the tapereds.
There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad.
Salvador Dali

hondaror
Posts: 2828
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Tapered bearings

#15 Post by hondaror » Sat Aug 02, 2014 12:27 pm

That's interesting. I would think that the added rigidity of the tapered bearings might cause or bring to light, a problem elsewhere. Do you sight your rear wheel when adjusting your chain? That's what I think it could be, alignment. I've spent many years wrenching and on the track. That wobble you describe, is the rear wheel slightly out.
I wouldn't give up on the tapers.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

Post Reply