yamsrus
XS650 New Member
Hi can anyone tell me the size and quantity of the headrace bearings on a 1972 xs2 lost half of them in the dismantle TIA
Hi thanks for your reply allready fitted taper bearings not happy with the fit the top one sits proud of the head race by about 4mm every thing seated fine just wanted the option of going back with new ball bearings got a size of 6mm just needed the quantity the third reply gave me 38 cheers anywayI agree with 5t. I’ve done several of the conversions and what a difference. If not I probably have a set of XS2 bearings I can send you.
That's normal for tapered rollers. All I've done sit proud like that... and all I've done work just fine.not happy with the fit the top one sits proud of the head race by about 4mm every thing seated fine
I agree with Marty it's not a big deal. I'm not a good enough road rider to notice a difference between them.FWIW, I have decided that I prefer the OE ball bearings. Not that it’s a big deal, but it’s always easier to replace stock with stock. And the ball bearings are quicker. Mostly, I want to point out that the tapered roller bearings aren’t necessary. If your OE bearings are ruined, then tapered roller bearings are cheaper than OE.
I built/rebuilt a few bicycles back in the day. I always noted big improvement just having ball bearings clean, properly lubed and adjusted. I'm sure the same is true with rollers.FWIW, I have decided that I prefer the OE ball bearings. Not that it’s a big deal, but it’s always easier to replace stock with stock. And the ball bearings are quicker. Mostly, I want to point out that the tapered roller bearings aren’t necessary. If your OE bearings are ruined, then tapered roller bearings are cheaper than OE.
The original ball bearings can suffer brinelling more readily than the tapered roller bearings do.I built/rebuilt a few bicycles back in the day. I always noted big improvement just having ball bearings clean, properly lubed and adjusted. I'm sure the same is true with rollers.
View attachment 323501
This pic shows a “good” set of original 77 up ball bearing races.
Being a lathe machinist for many years, the races seem well designed and have an appealing shape to me.
If the original ball bearings were not ignored and were kept greased and set properly they feel just fine for everyday street riding.
Perhaps for track riding either dirt oval or road stronger tapered roller bearings would be beneficial is how I see this.
Longevity and durability. For a given diameter, rollers will have much more contact area than balls. With the load spread out over a greater area, wear will be substantially less.So I ask, what improvements are the taper v. ball in race if both new?
cliff
My XS650SK was factory a equipped with ball bearings. They suffered brinelling. I probably didn’t take proper care of them. I replaced with tapered rollers.Longevity and durability. For a given diameter, rollers will have much more contact are than balls. With the load spread out over a greater area, wear will be substantially less.
They will also take a much larger loading because of the added contact area.