Author Topic: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four  (Read 1343 times)

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« on: February 07, 2021, 09:10:06 PM »
Does anyone know if the steering race ball bearings are a standard size or can you buy a complete kit DS want 29pence each for them?
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline Johnwebley

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2021, 09:30:22 PM »
Check out the local industrial estate for bearing supplies.

They should have loose balls.

If you will pardon the expression

Get them to mic them for size

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Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2021, 09:41:17 PM »
Also try push bike shops.
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

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http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline TrickyMicky

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2021, 11:13:57 PM »
Please forgive me if I've missed something obvious, but if you've gone to all the trouble of dismantling the front end, surely it's a lot less hassle just to replace the whole lot with a set of taper roller bearings. From the way I've read it, it gives the ipression that you are leaving the old races in place and just renewing the balls?

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2021, 11:34:01 PM »
If taper bearings were a straight fit that would be great but from what I have read it isn't and you end up with not much thread when you fit the top nut unless someone has made a conversion kit. Naturally I would replace the races if badly worn. It appears the top race bearings were more corroded on mine. Does anyone know the size as a don't have a micrometer as yet.




« Last Edit: February 07, 2021, 11:36:33 PM by Macabethiele (Ted) »
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2021, 09:57:44 AM »
I understand most of the wear force sits on the lower bearing so am wondering if a hybrid arrangement  is more practical - taper bearing at the bottom plain at the top ?

Then again for my likely low summer mileage perhaps original is more straight forward ?

Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2021, 11:49:00 AM »
I found the problem is if you use a thin spacer the bottom yoke came up against the frame and thinest spacer i found was 1mm.
Possibly you could grind some off the frame at bottom but not tried that

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2021, 12:11:32 PM »
According to the parts diagram and the manual there are 37 ball bearings, 19 in the top and 18 in the bottom, they are called #8 ball bearings which according to the web means 1/4".

Like these.

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=38916&vat_inc=true&gclid=Cj0KCQiA34OBBhCcARIsAG32uvPGEh1MrUYLnvlT3sG_BtrNgFn62NT0DsiaJaeC6kmnygPfawxXsMwaAi_OEALw_wcB

£4.33 for 50.

Thanks for the link I have ordered some. I'm probably stuck with DS for the upper & lower races I think it works out at almost £70 for the pair!
« Last Edit: February 08, 2021, 06:04:02 PM by Macabethiele (Ted) »
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2021, 06:01:53 PM »
Please forgive me if I've missed something obvious, but if you've gone to all the trouble of dismantling the front end, surely it's a lot less hassle just to replace the whole lot with a set of taper roller bearings. From the way I've read it, it gives the ipression that you are leaving the old races in place and just renewing the balls?

Having priced up the parts from DS I'm looking again at your suggestion to fit taper rollers they do seem a cheaper & better option. I've found these on e-bay after a search. What's the catch probably do not fit!! The lower race has a larger OD than the upper one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steering-bearings-taper-roller-Honda-CB250-350-400-450-500-550-650-750-super/153984339007?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

And a spacer https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB-400-F-Four-75-79-Headstock-Steering-Taper-Bearing-Spacer-OE-324005/184349619747?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB-400-F-Four-1975-1979-Headstock-Steering-Taper-Bearing-Top-OE-324803/184340453514?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Clearly I need to get my calipers on the old races.





Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2021, 12:15:15 PM »
I've found what sounds like a supplier that will sell me a pair of bearigs with a spacer to suit. Currently out of stock in the cheaper option for my particular model of Honda but the dearer option is £30.00.

As & when the bits arrive I will update with details of my fittment experience.
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline mickwinf

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Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline Seabeowner

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1971  CB500K0  Candy Jade Green or Candy Gold
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1978  CB550K     Excel Black

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2021, 09:30:42 PM »
i think all 70s hondas from 250-550 used same bearings, my thinking was they would be nearer in depth to the original rather than the taper rollers.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Steering Yoke Ball Bearings 400/four
« Reply #14 on: February 12, 2021, 09:48:48 AM »
I have measured my steering shaft & steering column top & bottom diameters as best I can with my Aldi Calipers they come out as follows.

Bottom bearings are 50.00 mm OD, steering shaft diameter is 26.7? mm. ( not sure until I remove the bottom race if has a wider shoulder at the bottom where the race seats)

Top bearings are 48.50 mm OD, 26.00 mm ID.

As best as I can measure the original bottom ball bearing has a thickness of 13.50 mm.

This leads me to thinking that the bottom spacer needs to be the difference between the taper & roller bearing thickness plus any washer (if there is such a thing) that sits between the normal lower bearing race & the dust seal.

Any comments on my calcuations welcome please,
« Last Edit: February 12, 2021, 12:33:52 PM by Macabethiele (Ted) »
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

 

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