ball vs. tapered head bearings?

I am one that would not use them for wheel bearing but for a head set I can not possibly see and issue.

 

I'm perfectly content with my sensitive balls. I'm going to keep them.

 

And trade off all of the load bearing capabilities and durability? :biggrin:

But then again, there is something to be said for a higher speed rating...

 

The First Gen came with tappered bearings I've replaced mine three times now. They are factory size only. No other manufactures make them, only the one for Honda. I have found them to work best torqued to 15# vs the books 10-12#. The bike feels like it's on rails. There was some stuff I read that the bottom bearing would move around like .001. That's why they went to ball type. Probably cheaper though.

 

http://www.allballsracing.com/22-1020.html
$33.54 too!
Thanks Brother :thumb:

 

Just ordered all balls off ebay
31.00 Shipped

 

We can replace ball bearings with some bearings only but this is possible in some places so buying ball bearings is the beat one.

 

GSXRs went to balls as an effort to eek out every ounce of unnecessary weight when they got porky in the late 80's and early 90's. I think they went back to rollers for durability issues later in the GSXR models. Not sure where they landed after the loss of the double cradle frames.

I've been using all balls tapered steerer bearings for years on various applications with no problems. I too wouldn't use them on my wheels though.

 

Do I recall that the 90-93 VFRs had cheesy races? plastic (??) Fuzzy on this too but I think the better bearing can be found on an ST1100.

 

:thumbsup: far oot :hippie: I like oem on my Honda, I did the tapered after market route though on my Kawasaki. Seems Kawi in their infinate cheap wisdom chose to use loose balls on their steering head on their Ninja 500. I know its an inexpenisve bike, but would expect at least captured balls? I have a 40 year old British bicycle that has loose balls (un-captured) too, but would expect a little more for a motorcycle.

I did the All-Balls on the Kawi and it is a nice set-up. I am happy as if I went with OEM on that application, I would still have an archaic backward steering bearing set-up. Best mod was going to a bonafied radial tyre compared to the bias ply tyres that were on there.

 

No, Not cheesy at all, helps to have the right tool to remove any race. https://www.google.com/search?q=sna...e-Punch-Oval-Bearing-10--P643990.aspx;500;213

Satisfying to hammer on stuff, even when it is your own sometimes. My Kawasaki I had to pound the chit oot of and the races cracked when they finally fell oot of the steering stem.

 

you do not understand what a steering damper does, it reacts to sudden inputs, not slow turns as in normal riding, in fact it would be more useful on a bike with ball bearings and less static friction. my opinion only, dont start cos i dont care.

 

no we are talking about a steering damper that damps sharp inputs, like I said, I am not prepared to argue to the finest end of a fart about this, and no, most people cant feel any difference, this is the internet where everybody knows everything:numbness:

 

i dont need to defend myself, a good damper is imperceptable at low speeds, try one, not many on here can tell the difference whether taper rollers are fitted or ball bearings, its all internet posturing, and I dont take part in that kind of thing. I always think you should only say on the internet what you would say in person. Like I said, its arguement for arguements sake and you may be turning into the biggest culprit. goodnight

 

I just saw the steering stem from an '06 Yam R6: Balls !!

 

^yep, Hi Ice-Hunchin :wave: are you flooded oot?