Deal4Fuji

The slowest rebuild in BF history is a step closer to completion this w/e if I can get some help with the correct bearing sizes for a '75 Fuji special road racer S10-S. Somewhere in the years of storage after being taken apart the original rusty bearings have escaped like socks in Jerry Seinfeld's dryer .

I have the Fuji catalog specification page and it's all original components, so everything I need bearing sizes for should be listed here. The only specification not listed might be the Sunshine hi flange hub model # is 5345. Any help on bottom bracket, top/bottom headset and wheel bearings will be much appreciated !

HillRider

As a general rule, cup-and-cone hubs use 3/16" bearing balls in front, typically 10 per side, and 1/4" balls in the rear hub, 9 per side. Cup-and-cone bottom brackets use 1/4" balls, 9 or 10 per side depending on whether they are in a retainer or not. Headsets vary but many use 5/32" balls and the count is usually between 20 and 25 per cup depending or use of retainers or loose balls. You can buy loose bearing balls in packages of 100 from any mail order bike shop, industrial supply house like Grainger or even Amazon. Get Grade 25 balls. They are better than necessary but cost so little they are worth it.

SurferRosa

Unless it's an 11-ball Campy retainer, toss it and use 11 loose balls.

HillRider

Not a ghost of a chance of this. The OEM was a Suguino crank and almost certainly a Sugino or SR bottom bracket.

Deal4Fuji

I think so too, Here's a photo of the BB

SurferRosa

Place the open end of the cup on top of the upright spindle end. Fill it with 1/4" loose balls. How many fit? 11?

Deal4Fuji

I've got #25 bb's on hand in 5 different diameters, I just wanted to confirm I'm using the right size...especially the smaller headset and hub sizes.

Yup - Thanks guys !!

SurferRosa

Ah. So there was a "ghost of a chance."

HillRider

I didn't say it wouldn't take 11 balls (w/o a retainer). I did say there was no chance it was a Campy bb.

SurferRosa

Why would that bike have a campy bb? That's ridiculous.

rickpaulos

I once got a rideable Motobecane from the landfill. A $5 bike with a $200 bottom bracket in it. Some just repair with better parts.

Deal4Fuji

Another question - I'm going to make this bike a single speed, but still use the original rear 14-28 cluster along with just the 50 T front big ring. I understand with no derailleur the alignment is important and I need the chain to stay pretty much in line. With the relatively small large ring, can I take apart and change the order of the rear cluster so that the smallest 14 or maybe the 17 T cog is directly in line with the front ring but keeping the 5 ring spacing I'll need? I am a masher and think this would work best for my riding. Here's the rear cluster

JohnDThompson 

The OEM crank on the S-10-S was a Sugino Maxy, the bottom bracket for which used a stud-type axle and nine 1/4" balls in a retainer for each race. But as you point out, eleven balls will fit, either loose or in a high-end retainer like Campagnolo's.

N.B. the headset uses 5/32" balls, 20 in a retainer in each race IIRC.

JohnDThompson 

No, the two smallest sprockets are threaded, while the larger three sprockets are splined.

A single freewheel would work, but AFAIK only White Industries offers a 17t option, and those aren't cheap. Affordable single freewheels are available in 16 or 18 tooth counts. 15t is the smallest sprocket you'll find on a single freewheel that will fit your hub. Smaller tooth counts are available, but require a special BMX hub.

Deal4Fuji

I actually have a 16 courtesy of my buddy 3speedslow but looking at it on the hub doesn't look right to me. Does this look like it will be in-line or do I need some kind of spacer?




This bike was such a rust bucket that everything not green got painted black...going for the very-used messenger look

JohnDThompson 

Hard to tell. How does it line up in the bike?

Deal4Fuji

I should know later today when I get into it - I'll come back for more help if it doesn't .... thanks John D !!
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EDIT ended up using the original freewheel on the 2nd (17 T) sprocket and it works great. It's on the road finally !