Brozz 250 Steering Head Issue

[tknj99]

I had posted about this last year when i found that the steering of the Brozz was binding. I was apprehensive to take it apart as i'd never worked a steering head before.. so at that time, i just loosened up the stem nut and lubed the crap out of it, squeezing grease into the neck edges as best i could.. this helped a bit but wasn't fully back to normal.
Today i went to get the bike inspected at the local mc dealer and whatdya know, it fails due to steering issue as a safety concern. The dealer told me i would need to replace the races or get tapered bearings but i recall the bike having loose bearings..
I just took it all apart and have a bunch of pics.. As you can see, there are about 26 loose bearings and a couple crunched up ones that came out along with a torn seal. My theory is that perhaps the stem nut was loose some point and some bearings from the bottom either fell or moved up to the top cup and started crunching around up there...
What are my options here? am i forced to just replace the ball bearings or can it be upgraded with tapered bearings?
If i can only replace the ball bearings, how does it work, is there a certain # that go in the top cup and a certain # for the bottom?
I also have an email out to Jeff P at Peace who requested pics to see what parts they have on hand as stock replacement...
Thanks

[tknj99]

Additional pics

[tknj99]

Additional pic

[TominMO]

You could probably just get a complete set of new ball bearings, degrease the races or get new ones, polish them up (whether new or original), and reassemble with new grease. Probably the same number in both top and bottom.

[Thumper]

Jeff will get on this. You may have lost a few and it needs most or all to work properly. You could get measurements to replace with races and roller pin bearings, but there may not be a compatible set. Really, I am sure Jeff will find the bearings. Could take a couple few weeks.

[tknj99]

Thanks guys.. i found an earlier thread with pics of it disassembled from new and counted 19 bearings on top and 20 bearings on the bottom. Im assuming 20 bearings for both top and bottom is the way to go and in that case im a good 16 bearings short, so definitely an issue.. luckily the neck inside isn't torn up nor the races, they are nice and smooth so i guess i just need bearings and that silicone seal that was torn to make it whole again..
Yea, probably not worth trying to replace with anything else, ie tapered, or the bearings with plastic ring, as would potentially have compatibility issues and maybe wind up being worse.

[TominMO]

Yeah, when I took my CT90's steering head apart, it was 20 and 20.

[tknj99]

I have visions of those 20 on the bottom falling all over the place but i guess some slathered grease will hold them in place during assembly

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by tknj99

I have visions of those 20 on the bottom falling all over the place but i guess some slathered grease will hold them in place during assembly

Yeah, you grease the race before installing the bearings, so they just stick in there. Then add more grease afterward. Then just wipe off whatever squishes out after reassembly of the steering head.

[Megadan]

good chance to upgrade to a taper roller bearing set and ditch the cup and cone ball bearing stuff.

[tknj99]

Originally Posted by Megadan

good chance to upgrade to a taper roller bearing set and ditch the cup and cone ball bearing stuff.

Any idea which ones i'd need to get? And if i were to replace these, do i just hammer out the top and bottom cups to replace with 2 tapered units?

[severely]

Originally Posted by tknj99

Any idea which ones i'd need to get? And if i were to replace these, do i just hammer out the top and bottom cups to replace with 2 tapered units?

If tapered roller bearings are unavailable and the standard races are good you can go to the hardware store and purchase individual ball bearings of the proper size. 3/16" is the usual size, but upper bearings can be smaller. It's also a good idea to drill and tap the steering head for a grease zerk installation. Zerk should be on the upper part of steering head cause of gravity. Once installed disassembly is no longer necessary to lubricate said bearings. As Dan said tapered roller bearings are by far the most superior choice but you can only do what you can do. I also recommend you inspect the races very closely for damage. Good luck.

[Megadan]

If they are the same as the Hawk, All Balls kit 221021

[tknj99]

Thanks. I measured the neck at OD 1.75", so inner diameter is slightly less.
All Balls 221021 says outer diameter: 47.0 mm which is 1.85" so it looks like it wouldn't work. Id need to track one down that would and probably experiment as i don't think anyone has done this upgrade to date on a Brozz

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by tknj99

Thanks. I measured the neck at OD 1.75", so inner diameter is slightly less.
All Balls 221021 says outer diameter: 47.0 mm which is 1.85" so it looks like it wouldn't work. Id need to track one down that would and probably experiment as i don't think anyone has done this upgrade to date on a Brozz

You might try to contact the All Balls company directly. They no doubt have a listing of all their products by dimensions, so could quickly determine if they have anything that would work for you.

https://www.allballsracing.com/