Brozz Recon Head Bearing Help!

[Spins]

Guys I finally pulled the front forks and head bearings. Not what I expected! There are no complete bearings to remove. Just loose ball bearings and a top plate held together with the nut. See pics. Is this normal? I expected a set of completely removal bearings to lube up. It also look to have two missing bearings on top and bottom. The locking nut which had to hammered off wasn’t very tight either. One tap g and loose. I know this isn’t supposed to be over tightened. Just to some resistance is barely felt.

[tknj99]

Thanks for the pics and info on that, i hadn't disassembled mine, just sprayed some silicone grease around it.. do you think its necessary based on what you see as far as grease from the factory? seems pretty well greased up from the pic and if its something thats fine as is, i'd rather not mess with it

[Spins]

It has plenty of grease. The retaining nut wasn’t very tight as I mentioned but I’m more concerned about the missing ball bearings. This in my buds bike I’m prepping. Mines still in the box.

[tknj99]

Thanks.. and I hear you.. if noone else chimes in, my guess would be that it is normal and probably the only way to know for certain would be to check on your bike as well.

[China Rider 27]

Not normal and weird that both top and bottom are missing. Don't know much about it but maybe there is some place you can get some that match. I would measure and see if you can find some replacements.

[tknj99]

Check out this thread:

https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=25103

Changed fork oil, front and rear brake fluids, greased steering stem bearings (and had to add some loose bearings as there were some missing)

[tknj99]

I wonder... if it is just the way they come standard, is there any hazard to having missing bearings? Although mine is only 4 months old, the handlebars rotate smoothly with no issues at all.

[franque]

Looks okay to me. When the races are installed, it takes up the slack in the space between the ball bearings. If you want to switch to tapered roller bearings, you'll need the ID of the steering stem where the races are affixed, the diameter of the inside of the headstock, and then the width of the bearing you want to run. If you can get the first two numbers (in mm), I can help you find the rest, but if it were me, I'd just run those bearings.

[China Rider 27]

When think about it probably does not affect how it works as there is enough support. On Hawk they come in a cage and are spaced. I would go back to Peace Sports they should know and if necessary fix it.

[Spins]

Originally Posted by tknj99

I wonder... if it is just the way they come standard, is there any hazard to having missing bearings? Although mine is only 4 months old, the handlebars rotate smoothly with no issues at all.

Thanks for the link!! Sounds like it’s the way they come. I would think it would cause uneven wear as they as it’s not supported evenly. Just a guess.
I’m draining the Forks right now. No what I expected either. Though the whole top section would pull out , but no. Jeff stated the inverted forks contain 320 ml . I was able to remove 200 ml from each . I’m sure there’s a little left but not 100 ml in my opinion. Not sure how long I’m supposed to let them drain either . First time attempting this .

[Spins]

Originally Posted by franque

Looks okay to me. When the races are installed, it takes up the slack in the space between the ball bearings. If you want to switch to tapered roller bearings, you'll need the ID of the steering stem where the races are affixed, the diameter of the inside of the headstock, and then the width of the bearing you want to run. If you can get the first two numbers (in mm), I can help you find the rest, but if it were me, I'd just run those bearings.

Thanks , first time doing this and just wanted reassurance things are okay. If I screw it up I’ll be hearing about it forever from my bud.

[tknj99]

Excellent info.. the steering bearings are the only initial prep item i didnt attempt, glad to know they are well greased and satisfactory as they are shipped..

With regard to the fork oil, i suspended mine upside down from my work bench with plastic containers underneath to catch the oil and let them sit like that overnite.

[Megadan]

It's not missing a ball bearing, that is by design. Your bike has the true style of cup and cone ball bearing style steering bearings with the loose ball bearings. Old Hondas and other bikes used this style of bearing for a very long time. They leave a space open with the ball bearings so they have room to shift and not jam against one another.

I am honestly amazed to see that style of bearing. Anymore the modern version of this style of bearing has the ball bearings retained in a plastic cage.

[Spins]

Originally Posted by Megadan

It's not missing a ball bearing, that is by design. Your bike has the true style of cup and cone ball bearing style steering bearings with the loose ball bearings. Old Hondas and other bikes used this style of bearing for a very long time. They leave a space open with the ball bearings so they have room to shift and not jam against one another.

I am honestly amazed to see that style of bearing. Anymore the modern version of this style of bearing has the ball bearings retained in a plastic cage.

Thanks Megadan, you’re the man!!
I was a little concerned. Not what I was expecting when I opened her up.
They did grease things up well.

[Spins]

Originally Posted by tknj99

Excellent info.. the steering bearings are the only initial prep item i didnt attempt, glad to know they are well greased and satisfactory as they are shipped..

With regard to the fork oil, i suspended mine upside down from my work bench with plastic containers underneath to catch the oil and let them sit like that overnite.

Thanks,
I’m not that patient. Under some time constraints to get my friends bike built, road tested and feel good about it before our trip to Croom. Oh and build mine as well.

Here’s a pic of what color the fork oil was which came out vs what’s going in.