Odd Sized Headset Bearing Balls
10-14-18, 04:07 PM
#1
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Odd Sized Headset Bearing Balls
I'm rehabbing a mid 70's Dawes Galaxy. I just took apart the headset and found that the bearing balls are an odd size - they are bigger than 1/8", but smaller than 5/32" (I did measure several just to make sure I wasn't crazy).
Weird.
Has any one else ever run into this? Should I go up to 5/32" or down to 1/8"?
Thanks!
Weird.
Has any one else ever run into this? Should I go up to 5/32" or down to 1/8"?
Thanks!
10-14-18, 04:27 PM
#2
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These machines came with Brampton headsets of the floating u-race design which employ 1/8" balls.
Perhaps someone has been in there before you...
Reassemble with new 1/8" balls and Robert should be your uncle.
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These machines came with Brampton headsets of the floating u-race design which employ 1/8" balls.
Perhaps someone has been in there before you...
Reassemble with new 1/8" balls and Robert should be your uncle.
-----
Last edited by juvela; 10-14-18 at 04:32 PM. Reason: spellin'
10-14-18, 04:33 PM
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Are these loose bearing balls? I would probably fill the races with 5/32" loose balls (held in with grease) to begin with and see how that feels (make sure to leave one or two balls out so the race isn't completely full). If the cups don't feel right (they will feel a little wobbly then) then try the 1/8" balls, but I have a feeling the cups may drag with that small of balls. I've restored a lot of bikes in my day and have never seen a headset with 1/8" balls in it - they always seems to be either 5/32" or 3/16". Worst case scenario would be you would need to replace the headset with something else that seems appropriate for the bike, unless you're willing to search for odd sized balls that is.
10-14-18, 04:36 PM
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Or you could just clean and reuse the old bearings, but I have a feeling they aren't any good or are lost if you went to the trouble to make this post.
10-14-18, 04:49 PM
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5/32" balls will work like gravel in these headsets
u-race sets are unable to accept retainers
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5/32" balls will work like gravel in these headsets
u-race sets are unable to accept retainers
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Last edited by juvela; 10-14-18 at 05:33 PM. Reason: addition
10-14-18, 05:04 PM
#6
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10-14-18, 05:30 PM
#7
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My 1970 Galaxy has a TD Cross headset with 1/8" balls. A lot of them, 40 IIRC. Edit- now I'm thinking it was 60?
Last edited by Insidious C.; 10-14-18 at 06:28 PM.
10-15-18, 01:20 AM
#8
Senior Member
Maybe someone got there before & metricfied them to 3.5mm 
i usually prefer to go UP a size, if needs be, long as they don't contact the sides
i usually prefer to go UP a size, if needs be, long as they don't contact the sides
10-15-18, 03:59 AM
#9
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Metric ball bearings in a 1970's bike in Blighty Olde Englart? Off to the Tower!
While metric diameter loose ball bearings are available, almost all cone and cup loose ball bearings use "Imperial" (Inch) size balls.
On an old headset there's always the possibility that some hammersmith mixed up the components because the races were worn or indented and they couldn't find proper replacements.
If it doesn't fit, get a BIGGER HAMMER!
Campagnolo Tool # 1
I've never worked on a headset on a Dawes. Being British, there is always a possibility that they used 1" x 26 tpi threads rather than the more standard 1" x 24 tpi threads. Check that too.
I'd start with @taguy4 suggestions.
verktyg
While metric diameter loose ball bearings are available, almost all cone and cup loose ball bearings use "Imperial" (Inch) size balls.
On an old headset there's always the possibility that some hammersmith mixed up the components because the races were worn or indented and they couldn't find proper replacements.
If it doesn't fit, get a BIGGER HAMMER!
Campagnolo Tool # 1
I've never worked on a headset on a Dawes. Being British, there is always a possibility that they used 1" x 26 tpi threads rather than the more standard 1" x 24 tpi threads. Check that too.
I'd start with @taguy4 suggestions.
verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 10-15-18 at 04:06 AM.
10-15-18, 12:06 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
Thanks all - I'll just try both 1/8" and 5/32" and see what works better. A cursory inspection didn't reveal any damage to the races.
I haven't found any odd British specific threads (as I have on Raleighs in the past). I thought that perhaps the bearing balls were some weird Dawes specific thing.
I haven't found any odd British specific threads (as I have on Raleighs in the past). I thought that perhaps the bearing balls were some weird Dawes specific thing.
10-15-18, 12:44 PM
#11
Senior Member
Does your Galaxy have a GB stem? If so, you will find weird British threads on the clamp bolt, not to mention weird wrench size for the nut.
