Some people really have the balls... bearings that is. Is there a normal number of balls per race used? TOC era

[bricycle]

Reason I ask, is balls often besome separated from the original races, at least on non-caged sets,
Or should one use the smallest balls that work in a given instance? Halp!!! 😫

 

[Archie Sturmer]

I just took one apart the other day, the type with a clamp on-top of the so-called top-nut.
The bearings fell out and I picked-up 41, so I am thinking that one was lost or missing.

The balls measured 0.185 or 0.186 so maybe 3/16” nominal; (or maybe 4.7mm metric?).

I could fit 22 in the top race, but maybe only 21 felt just right?

 

[Andrew Gorman]

Standard rule of thumb I've always used since I ran into it -somewhere- is to fill the race entirely then take one out. For sizing bikes are pretty standard- 1/4" bottom bracket. Let Sheldon be your guide:

Harris Cyclery Bicycle Ball Bearings

Small parts for bicycle hubs from Harris Cyclery

www.sheldonbrown.com

 

[dnc1]

I cleaned and regreased the headset on my circa 1907, French made 'Cycles Morot' last week.
It has 25 bearings in both the top and bottom races.
Metric bearings obviously.