Post by: JParty on May 27, 2021, 11:34:56 AM
I bought a set of tapered roller bearings from DSS. They look like they use QMP SSH 750 from the packaging. They didn’t come with instructions but after calling they issued a short document to me. The main thing I was unclear on was where the spacer (washer) went. From the instructions it is meant to go over the stem first before the lower bearing. The ID of the spacer was too small for the stem so I have to file down the centre.
Having ensure the cups were properly seated and the washer and lower bearing were hard up against the stem I’ve now tried to assembly the stem into the frame. Only 1-2 turns of thread is available at the top when trying to get the top cap (the nut that is torqued with a C Spanner). Because of the ridges on the bottom side of the top cap, it is only possible to start this thread with the nut upside down. With this torqued there still isn’t enough thread to see it come up the other side of the nut. I can’t get the thread started with the top cap on the right side up. Even if I can get a machinist to machine off those ridges on the top cap it doesn’t get my many turns of thread.
After triple checking that the bearing cups are seated in the frame, I’m running out of ideas. As far as I know, the steering stem and frame headset are all original for the 1976 CB400F. I’m reluctant to remove the spacer as it looks like the lower yoke will start to get plenty snug on the bottom of the frame.
Lastly, I was surprised to see an absence of any dust/dirt caps to protect the bearings...
Any help would be mega - thank you!!
Post by: K2-K6 on May 27, 2021, 12:00:07 PM
Your experience is the same as many other on here and can't easily be resolved. Basic problem of dimensions in the bearings not being equivalent to the original specification that's difficult to resolve. Also results in the headlight ears no longer fitting correctly between top and bottom location.
Contemporary taper roller sets had the bearing track ground to bring a match to the bike components as they made up the sets, but std bearings are now sent out without that adaption.
Post by: Laverda Dave on May 27, 2021, 12:21:28 PM
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14529.0.html
Post by: JParty on May 27, 2021, 12:52:10 PM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on May 27, 2021, 02:50:28 PM
Post by: allankelly1 on May 27, 2021, 06:28:28 PM
Also looking at the spacer it looks too thick
(The all balls set come with different thickness spacers)
Hopefully you can see that with mine the lower face of the lower yoke is flush with the top of the bearing cup and the top yoke has plenty of thread
Also they come with seals and the top bearing cover covers the top bearing ok
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210527/3e5e9dcef4502bbf88b2ce238ee7a1d0.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210527/4fc4b96e1fb7e4a4d165eb1cb32dc580.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210527/2018806a6aea422c410863867345ec35.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: ka-ja on May 27, 2021, 07:13:58 PM
Post by: allankelly1 on May 27, 2021, 07:22:48 PM
I think the All Ball kits used a more shallow taper roller hence no build height issue once fitted
Just they cost a bit more
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Seabeowner on May 28, 2021, 08:47:32 AM
And they were less than this and cheaper than DS.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263739039912?fits=UKM_Make%3AHonda&hash=item3d681260a8:g:-2gAAOSwvmNbFrrz
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on May 29, 2021, 02:44:58 AM
Yes
I think the All Ball kits used a more shallow taper roller hence no build height issue once fitted
Just they cost a bit more
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've never hear of this All Balls Kit no one mentioned it when I was wrestling with my headset - are they still available and where from do you have the bearing heights by any chance or part numbers ?
Post by: allankelly1 on May 29, 2021, 08:37:36 AM
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Post by: Seabeowner on May 29, 2021, 07:05:07 PM
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263739039912?fits=UKM_Make%3AHonda&hash=item3d681260a8:g:-2gAAOSwvmNbFrrz
And save £6.39.
But no guarantees that they fit perfect.
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on May 30, 2021, 01:52:20 PM
I posted it in reply 8 but maybe you need it again. All Balls:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263739039912?fits=UKM_Make%3AHonda&hash=item3d681260a8:g:-2gAAOSwvmNbFrrz
And save £6.39.
But no guarantees that they fit perfect.
Thanks for the last two replies yourself & Allan I might re-think my planned headset arrangementwhen I get to assembly.
Post by: JParty on June 03, 2021, 11:26:22 AM
Post by: JParty on June 03, 2021, 02:22:24 PM
Post by: zombie365 on August 27, 2021, 12:07:34 AM
Did you get the all balls kit in the end? If so what was the fitment like? I also purchased the qmp ssh750 from DSS, had the exact same problem as you. Looking at buying the all balls but really want to confirm it'll fit first.
Cheers
Sam
Post by: Kelly E on August 27, 2021, 12:28:57 AM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on August 27, 2021, 04:56:06 AM
Except that All Balls represents itself as an American company but they are actually made in China and the metal used is inferior to most other kits.
This firm sell well known branded Japanese bearings plus they supply what looks like a decent bottom seal in their kits.
https://pyramid-parts.com/products/ssbmain?variant=40126403591
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on August 27, 2021, 11:40:29 AM
All those named in that little known are good manufacturers of bearings, however it does say where applicable, meaning you could get anything.
I’d love someone to order a set and let’s see what make they supply.
My Top Bearing from them is NTN made in Japan.
Post by: Johnny4428 on August 27, 2021, 12:23:05 PM
Post by: oldchuffer on October 21, 2021, 08:05:13 PM
https://pyramid-parts.com/products/ssbmain?variant=40126403591
worked a treat, and so easy.