Timken neck bearing install question
-
- Junior Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2022 8:13 pm
- Bikes: 48 fl
- Location: NC
Timken neck bearing install question
48 springer front end 1” stem but it has this 1 1/4” step at base of stem. Does 1” bearing just sit on step? Or 1 1/2” bearing sit on some kind of cone centering washer/bushing? Kit I got from Ted didn’t have one just bearings cups and nuts. Pics or Ted part numbers would help a bunch thanks. Don’t mind the crap looks like wear that’s just powder coat left over from trying to remove.
- Attachments
-
- BB331830-436E-4357-888F-04B19CF754F4.jpeg (77.86 KiB) Viewed 317 times
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 591
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:24 am
- Bikes: 68 FL
- Location: Nambour Qld Australia
- Has thanked: 256 times
- Been thanked: 477 times
Re: Timken neck bearing install question
48361-38 goes on first, for original style cone with loose balls
Nifty-
- Junior Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2022 8:13 pm
- Bikes: 48 fl
- Location: NC
Re: Timken neck bearing install question
Thanks I just grabbed the file gonna knock down step to fit 1” Id bearing
-
- Moderator
- Senior Member
- Posts: 8413
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
- Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
- Has thanked: 484 times
- Been thanked: 2958 times
Re: Timken neck bearing install question
No 45 fork ever came with a 1" stem, the only factory fork using a 1" stem and 45 rockers was the XA and it is the 2-3/8 longer fork. All 45s used the 7/8" stem through the end of the springer on '57 Servi-Cars. What makes you think it is 45?
-
- Member
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:02 pm
- Bikes: ...
48 EL
57 FLH
78 FLH
86 FXST
98 ROAD KING
66 Honda CL 160 Scrambler - Location: OHIO
- Has thanked: 212 times
- Been thanked: 95 times
Re: Timken neck bearing install question
Is there a post missing here...? Something edited...? I'm lost.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 5327
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:00 pm
- Bikes: 1950 Panhead, Resto-Mod
1968 90", 5 Speed Shovelhead,
1984 Home Built Custom Evo 100" Bagger - Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Has thanked: 2801 times
- Been thanked: 2159 times
Re: Timken neck bearing install question
The original post, #1, says:
"48 springer front end 1” stem but it has this 1 1/4” step at base of stem."
I'll go out on a limb here and assume he means 1948, Big Twin, since it is not a 7/8 inch diameter stem, eh?
"48 springer front end 1” stem but it has this 1 1/4” step at base of stem."
I'll go out on a limb here and assume he means 1948, Big Twin, since it is not a 7/8 inch diameter stem, eh?
-
- Moderator
- Senior Member
- Posts: 8413
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
- Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
- Has thanked: 484 times
- Been thanked: 2958 times
Re: Timken neck bearing install question
My bad, read it as 45. No reference to BT so just ran with it. Hopefully it isn't an original '48 fork leg getting modified, they are very hard to come by. And there is basically zero advantage to that modification. Just makes it easier for those who don't do maintenance to get by a bit longer.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 5327
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:00 pm
- Bikes: 1950 Panhead, Resto-Mod
1968 90", 5 Speed Shovelhead,
1984 Home Built Custom Evo 100" Bagger - Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Has thanked: 2801 times
- Been thanked: 2159 times
Re: Timken neck bearing install question
The ball bearings were good enough for 45 years, no?
So why not stick with them, or just go to a Glide fork if you are stuck on Timkens....
So why not stick with them, or just go to a Glide fork if you are stuck on Timkens....
-
- Member
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2011 8:53 am
- Bikes: 1941 U
1958 FLE
1942 WLC bobber - Has thanked: 67 times
- Been thanked: 27 times
Re: Timken neck bearing install question
Don’t do it! The boss has to be ground off symmetrically ( I think that’s the correct term) or the bearing won’t sit correctly. Also the adjuster has to be shortened.
Rubone is correct, there is no advantage. To my shame I converted my U forks about 20 years ago as there didn’t seem to be any decent aftermarket cups and cones available. Always regretted it; it seemed to handle better with the slightly pitted originals.
Rubone is correct, there is no advantage. To my shame I converted my U forks about 20 years ago as there didn’t seem to be any decent aftermarket cups and cones available. Always regretted it; it seemed to handle better with the slightly pitted originals.
-
- Member
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:02 pm
- Bikes: ...
48 EL
57 FLH
78 FLH
86 FXST
98 ROAD KING
66 Honda CL 160 Scrambler - Location: OHIO
- Has thanked: 212 times
- Been thanked: 95 times
Re: Timken neck bearing install question
From reading the OP's last (#3) post... might be too late now.
I have a question for you guys that know about this stuff. When people talk about changing over to 'Timken' bearings now days, does that mean bearings actually manufactured by Timken, or does it mean tapered bearing units in general? I only ask because in my own recent (automotive application) experience, Timken bearings are not the same dependable, American made quality they used to be. And finding good quality hubs/bearings etc is a crap shoot. Certainly not worth mutilating a good original part.
I have a question for you guys that know about this stuff. When people talk about changing over to 'Timken' bearings now days, does that mean bearings actually manufactured by Timken, or does it mean tapered bearing units in general? I only ask because in my own recent (automotive application) experience, Timken bearings are not the same dependable, American made quality they used to be. And finding good quality hubs/bearings etc is a crap shoot. Certainly not worth mutilating a good original part.
-
- Moderator
- Senior Member
- Posts: 8413
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
- Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
- Has thanked: 484 times
- Been thanked: 2958 times
Re: Timken neck bearing install question
You are correct. Most use the name "Timken" generically for any tapered roller type bearing. Many are poor quality.droptopford wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 2:58 pm From reading the OP's last (#3) post... might be too late now.
I have a question for you guys that know about this stuff. When people talk about changing over to 'Timken' bearings now days, does that mean bearings actually manufactured by Timken, or does it mean tapered bearing units in general? I only ask because in my own recent (automotive application) experience, Timken bearings are not the same dependable, American made quality they used to be. And finding good quality hubs/bearings etc is a crap shoot. Certainly not worth mutilating a good original part.