Ball Bearings or Tapered Roller Bearings?

Jermacide · 02-22-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zed6E

HOLY CRAP!!! BEANS!!!

Well at least BOISE Riders has at least one moderator residing in BOISE!

**CBRF2Old** · 02-22-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermacide

Well at least BOISE Riders has at least one moderator residing in BOISE!

You talking about me?? Now all I have to do is ride to fill in the Boise RIDERS.

stubby · 02-22-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRF2Old

You talking about me?? Now all I have to do is ride to fill in the Boise RIDERS.

I thought all you did was haul a bike to the track for little kids to start. When did you start riding??

**CBRF2Old** · 02-23-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubby

I thought all you did was haul a bike to the track for little kids to start. When did you start riding??

Hey, I rode it around the pits, didn't you see me? Where were you?...oh yeah...out on the track.

Jermacide · 02-23-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRF2Old

Hey, I rode it around the pits, didn't you see me? Where were you?...oh yeah...out on the track.

you ever get your head bearing checked out?

**CBRF2Old** · 02-23-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermacide

you ever get your head bearing checked out?

Yeah, the doctors said that there is nothing that can be done.

Oh, you meant the Ascot? No, haven't got it up on the stand and torn down yet. Still trying to decide whether to go with the Honda replacement ball bearings or the tapered roller bearings.

stubby · 02-23-2010, 01:15 PM

go with the tapered ones

**CBRF2Old** · 02-23-2010, 04:48 PM

Since this discussion came up, I was thinking that I would ask the rest of you what you think.

This is on a 1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot.
The steering head bearings are ball bearings. I have the option to change to a tapered roller bearing as some of my Ascotonian friends have done. They mention that it is sometimes a pain to get the fitment of the new races correct (however, getting the cageless ball bearings in without losing one is difficult also).
There is no real performance benefit to the new ones. Cost is about the same for both.
Any thoughts?

**CBRF2Old** · 02-23-2010, 04:49 PM

Damn, forgot to mention that I need to replace them as there is a bad spot in the race that is causing the handlebars to want to stay pointed straight ahead.

Cider · 02-23-2010, 05:03 PM

I dunno, flip a coin? I replaced mine with the tapered ones, but I don't think it made any noticeable difference. They were just easier for me to find.

Waldo · 02-23-2010, 05:30 PM

Roller

shaner · 02-23-2010, 06:22 PM

I got some tapered ones for the Gixxer and the races didn't come anywhere near fitting. So I went back to good ol' genuine suzuki ball bearings. Though I did get some tapered ones for the chopper. We'll see if those fit.

Something to consider... the only real advantage of tapered bearings is that they last longer. But how many times have you ever had to replace bearings? The stock ones lasted 13 years on my Gixxer and I only changed them because I figured it would be a good time while I had the bike totally apart. If the price is the same then I say flip a coin.

**CBRF2Old** · 02-23-2010, 06:56 PM

Thanks for the input. I agree, my original Ascot is still on the original ball bearings. The one that needs replacing only has a few more miles on the clock but don't know what it went through to get there.
I'll post some pics when I get her torn down. Then I will check availability on both and toss the proverbial coin.
Also plan on replacing the fork springs with progressive springs to cut down on the pogo effect that the torque of this massive (499cc) VTwin puts out!

**Hozhead** · 02-24-2010, 04:15 PM

The Ascot could always use more balls!

e11charlie · 02-24-2010, 05:10 PM

More balls you say? Not only do they come in brass anymore but many different colors and patterns. I keep some in the glove box my wife doesnt know about shhhhh.

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02-23-2010, 01:15 PM	#7
stubby Senior Member Joined: Mar 2008 From: A boring place without any tracks Posts: 4,715 Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: 08 GSXR1000 street 08 GSXR600 race bike 07 KTM 250xcw dirt 49cc Pocket bike	go with the tapered ones

02-23-2010, 04:48 PM	#8
CBRF2Old Moderator Joined: Aug 2006 From: Boise Posts: 3,729 I Ride: 83 and 84 Honda Ascot's and 91 CBR600F2	Since this discussion came up, I was thinking that I would ask the rest of you what you think. This is on a 1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot. The steering head bearings are ball bearings. I have the option to change to a tapered roller bearing as some of my Ascotonian friends have done. They mention that it is sometimes a pain to get the fitment of the new races correct (however, getting the cageless ball bearings in without losing one is difficult also). There is no real performance benefit to the new ones. Cost is about the same for both. Any thoughts?

02-23-2010, 04:49 PM	#9
CBRF2Old Moderator Joined: Aug 2006 From: Boise Posts: 3,729 I Ride: 83 and 84 Honda Ascot's and 91 CBR600F2	Damn, forgot to mention that I need to replace them as there is a bad spot in the race that is causing the handlebars to want to stay pointed straight ahead.

02-23-2010, 05:03 PM	#10
Cider Senior Member Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,116	I dunno, flip a coin? I replaced mine with the tapered ones, but I don't think it made any noticeable difference. They were just easier for me to find.

02-23-2010, 05:30 PM	#11
Waldo Senior Member Joined: Jun 2007 From: Caldwell Posts: 904 I Ride: 00 RC51, currently fixed but give it time i'm sure it will brake 90 ZX750-H2, 92 CR250, 93 CR250, 98 CR125, 98 CR80 BW and 90 Yamaha Phazer	Roller

02-23-2010, 06:22 PM	#12
shaner Senior Member Joined: May 2008 From: The Hood Posts: 3,123	I got some tapered ones for the Gixxer and the races didn't come anywhere near fitting. So I went back to good ol' genuine suzuki ball bearings. Though I did get some tapered ones for the chopper. We'll see if those fit. Something to consider... the only real advantage of tapered bearings is that they last longer. But how many times have you ever had to replace bearings? The stock ones lasted 13 years on my Gixxer and I only changed them because I figured it would be a good time while I had the bike totally apart. If the price is the same then I say flip a coin.

02-23-2010, 06:56 PM	#13
CBRF2Old Moderator Joined: Aug 2006 From: Boise Posts: 3,729 I Ride: 83 and 84 Honda Ascot's and 91 CBR600F2	Thanks for the input. I agree, my original Ascot is still on the original ball bearings. The one that needs replacing only has a few more miles on the clock but don't know what it went through to get there. I'll post some pics when I get her torn down. Then I will check availability on both and toss the proverbial coin. Also plan on replacing the fork springs with progressive springs to cut down on the pogo effect that the torque of this massive (499cc) VTwin puts out!

02-24-2010, 04:15 PM	#14
Hozhead Site Founder Joined: Feb 2006 From: Price, UT Posts: 6,666 Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: Husqvarna SM610	The Ascot could always use more balls!