Featherbed Headstock Bearing Choices

johnod · Nov 2, 2016

I've noticed there seem to be 3 different types of bearings, ball, tapered , and sealed.

Is any type the preferred choice?

Left to my own I'd probably go with the sealed if they work fine.

wilkey113 · Nov 2, 2016

I prefer sealed, and they've worked perfectly on my bikes.

lcrken · Nov 2, 2016

I used tapered rollers on my featherbed race bike, and tried both the original sealed bearings and tapered rollers on my Commando race bike, and they all worked just fine. I don't think there is much to choose from between them, as long as they are properly pre-loaded and/or adjusted. I've also raced a lot on Yamahas with stock loose ball bearings, and the also worked well as long as they were adjusted properly. The sealed bearings have the advantage of not needing adjustment, as long as you've got the proper spacer between them.

Ken

Rohan · Nov 2, 2016

Can you fit sealed bearings into featherbeds ?
I thought that was a Commando only 'innovation'.

Bearing folks throw up their hands in horror at that application, in theory that is a terrible idea, the bearings were not intended for that sort of use (ie not rotating, but just jittering about the same position).
But they are VERY cheap, and fairly easy to replace, and they last longer than might be thought.
The correct length of spacer is MANDATORY for them to work, note well.

And, they don't need adjusting. Which quickly destroys tapered bearings or loose balls if they are run too loose.

ashman · Nov 2, 2016

I have been running sealed bearings in my Wideline sinse building it 35 years ago as long as the spacer is the right size, I replaced the bearings on the last rebuild over 6 years ago but the old bearings were still in good shape after all that time.

Ashley

Matchless · Nov 3, 2016

When I acquired my 1962 650 ss from the first owner it still had the original headstock bearings fitted. These were the 7205 angular contact type. As they were in poor condition I replaced them with 6205 2RS & a spacer tube as Commando. Works fine & doesn't require adjustment.

Martyn.

Bernhard · Nov 3, 2016

[quote="Matchless" Works fine & doesn't require adjustment.

Martyn.[/quote]

Sadly, I think you are all wrong this is due to my experience; the bearings are NOT fully rotating and therefore cannot wear evenly –not even taper rollers. The bearings take a pounding at the straight ahead position, where the MOST wear occurs, whether ball or taper roller or whatever, I knock them out and turn the cups round in the headstock the get the maximum amount of use from them.

johnod · Nov 3, 2016

Thanks everyone.

Rohan · Nov 3, 2016

Matchless said:
When I acquired my 1962 650 ss from the first owner it still had the original headstock bearings fitted. These were the 7205 angular contact type. .

The parts book for a 1964 slimline lists the cup type bearing inserts, and 36 loose ball bearings....

Does anyone know what H60 (x 2) is in the frame diagram ?
Don't you hate it when they draw and number things, and then don't list them,
AND list a string of un-numbered and unshown items.

milfordite · Nov 29, 2016

OK...I need to replace the head bearings in my Atlas and want to use the sealed bearings. Lots of comments that the spacer needs to be just right. Will a commando spacer work? What is the length of spacer needed? Where do the bearings need to sit in the headstock? Flush or set in how far? Details please!

Matchless · Nov 29, 2016

To use the Commando set up in a Featherbed the bottom bearing needs to be fitted into the headstock as far in as it will go. Then measure from the top of this bearing to the top of the frame. From this length take off the width of the other (top) bearing. This is how long the spacer tube needs to be. It is not critical to a few thou' but better slightly too long rather than too short,as the top bearing doesn't need to bottom out in the frame. From memory a Commando spacer needs to be shortened for a Featherbed.
Hope this makes sense.

Martyn.

ashman · Nov 29, 2016

Yes the Commando spacer need to be shorten to fit the Featherbed.

Ashley

milfordite · Dec 3, 2016

Thanks guys! Good info as usual!

johnod · Dec 4, 2016

What is this spacer tube you're talking about?

Rohan · Dec 4, 2016

Plain old sealed ball bearings, like the Commando uses (stock) has no method of adjustment.

A spacer tube is required between them, so that when you do up the headstem nut it doesn't just keep moving the bearings towards each other, or trying to.

BTW, I thought the Commando uses a larger diam stem, and the featherbed uses a smaller diam stem.
So the ball-bearings type bearings can't be the same (?), the internal diam must be smaller for the featherbed ?

johnod · Dec 4, 2016

So if I install sealed ball bearings in the featherbed I need the Commando spacer?
Is that correct?

Rohan · Dec 5, 2016

No, you need a commando-like spacer, but suitably shortened for featherbed use.
This is mentioned above, somewhere.
The featherbed steering head is a bit shorter than the Commando one.

I make it about 6 &1/2" (rough tape measure/eyeballing),
and I think the Commando is like 7", without going and measuring it.

johnod · Dec 5, 2016

So do I have to make this spacer, if so from what?
I haven't seen one so no idea.

OR
Do I modify a Commando piece?

Rohan · Dec 6, 2016

I'm surprised someone hasn't chimed in here, I've got std bearings in my bike/project. !

Its little more than a piece of steel tubing, its item 39 in this Commando view.
https://andover-norton.co.uk/img/images ... d633ae.jpg
Its purpose is purely to keep the bearings apart, if you use the sealed ball bearings.

johnod · Dec 6, 2016

Guess I have to find something the right diameter then.
What has anyone else used?

Featherbed Headstock Bearing Choices

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