Correct Bearing Races For Harley 1" Fork Swap

Brian79xs

XS650 Member
Messages
5
Reaction score
6
Points
3
Location
South Carolina
After searching forum after forum , I found a lot of people saying to use the xs650 stock / replacement bearing races with the Harley 1" tapered bearings for a springer front end swap. I ordered those parts and found that it is incorrect. The bearing does not sit completely into the race , leaves some of the bearing exposed. Yes, it may "work" but wrong in my opinion. After doing my own research, I found the correct bearing race to fit the xs650 headtube and fit the 1" Harley tapered bearings.
Timken L44643 Bearings (x2)
NTN 30x48x15 Bearing Race (x2)

Pictured is the 1" Timken bearings with the stock xs650 race on the left ( either stock upper or lower race sits the same) , and on the right is the 1" Timken bearing with the NTN race.

I hope this helps others out as there is a lot of misinformation on this setup !
 

Attachments

  • 20200829_130714.jpg
    20200829_130714.jpg
    47.7 KB · Views: 218
After searching forum after forum , I found a lot of people saying to use the xs650 stock / replacement bearing races with the Harley 1" tapered bearings for a springer front end swap. I ordered those parts and found that it is incorrect. The bearing does not sit completely into the race , leaves some of the bearing exposed. Yes, it may "work" but wrong in my opinion. After doing my own research, I found the correct bearing race to fit the xs650 headtube and fit the 1" Harley tapered bearings.
Timken L44643 Bearings (x2)
NTN 30x48x15 Bearing Race (x2)
Pictured is the 1" Timken bearings with the stock xs650 race on the left ( either stock upper or lower race sits the same) , and on the right is the 1" Timken bearing with the NTN race.
I hope this helps others out as there is a lot of misinformation on this setup !

Hi Brian and welcome,
thanks for the tech tip.
If you wish to move your bike's front end design back to the 1930s it's best to do it right.
Got a photo of the bike?
 
If I was honestly worried about ride quality, I would not start with a XS650, lol. This build is a bare bones hardtail with springer front end. No battery, turn signals or unnecessary b/s, just a local cruiser / budget build. To each is their own............
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200829_193838_439.jpg
    IMG_20200829_193838_439.jpg
    328.4 KB · Views: 228
Last edited:
Nice build Brian! Where did you find the NTN races at? I've done a quick search on Google and Amazon, but nothing is jumping out at me.
 
If I was honestly worried about ride quality, I would not start with a XS650, lol. This build is a bare bones hardtail with springer front end. No battery, turn signals or unnecessary b/s, just a local cruiser / budget build. To each is their own............

Hi Brian,
lucky you getting away with no signals 'n such in SC, Canadian cops would ticket you into the poorhouse.
But I do hope you are putting modern brakes on your build because I bet that SC has it's fair share of distracted drivers.
 
Hi Brian,
lucky you getting away with no signals 'n such in SC, Canadian cops would ticket you into the poorhouse.
But I do hope you are putting modern brakes on your build because I bet that SC has it's fair share of distracted drivers.

Front & rear disc for sure on this bike, just haven't got that far yet. Yes , drivers around here are terrible, does take some of the fun out of riding, but just have to "drive" for everyone else on the road when out unfortunately.
 
Hey Brian, I contacted TC Bros, but they weren't interested in selling me just the races... directed me to look at their springer conversion kit instead. If you haven't installed them yet, is there a model number on the races anywhere? Seriously, I can't even find a 48mm OD tapered bearing race by NTN on the internet anywhere. Some sort of part number would really help, thanks!
 
Hey Brian, I contacted TC Bros, but they weren't interested in selling me just the races... directed me to look at their springer conversion kit instead. If you haven't installed them yet, is there a model number on the races anywhere? Seriously, I can't even find a 48mm OD tapered bearing race by NTN on the internet anywhere. Some sort of part number would really help, thanks!

Not sure why they would not sell them seperate now, that is where mine came from about a month ago. Only numbers on the race are the size I listed in the orginal post.
 
Okay. Maybe calling them will work better than email, I'll try that tomorrow.

I have been through three different NTN product catalogs, and I cannot find any tapered roller bearings that have a 48 mm OD. Must be some sort of special order.
 
Funny, when I bought replacement head bearings for my XJ900 back in 2000, the guy at the bearing supply shop said to me," You're working on a Yamaha."

It would seem these bearings are used on Yamahas and nothing else. Every one I source seems to be coming from overseas. No wonder so many people use All Balls stuff.
 
Last edited:
I called up TCBros today, and they said that they are out of stock at the moment, but to get in touch when the springer conversion kit is back in stock and they would sell me a set of races.

The reason I can't find the races online is that they order them custom from Taiwan. Apparently there is no standard 48mm race with a taper that matches the Timken bearing.
 
Back
Top