Are these ok?

[Rickrod3]

http://s910.photobucket.com/albums/a...3.jpg&newest=1

I pulled the steering bearings apart and cleaned them.
Bearings seem to rotate smooth freely.

The races have these marks best described as stains from the needle bearings.
If I run my finger around the race I cannot seem to detect any bumps.
Both the top and bottom races have them.
Marks are located at the 12 and 6 O'Clock positions.

Are they reusable?
TIA
Rick

[Larrym]

Discoloration

I saw the same thing when I did my bearings: "Stains" but no real obstacle for the bearings to roll into.

I regreased, installed, and adjusted the headset: no glitches or rough spots afterwards. Turned real nice as far as I was concerned.

My vote is to go ahead and reinstall what you've got.

[Rickrod3]

That sounds good

I saw the same thing when I did my bearings: "Stains" but no real obstacle for the bearings to roll into.

I re greased, installed, and adjusted the headset: no glitches or rough spots after wards. Turned real nice as far as I was concerned.

My vote is to go ahead and reinstall what you've got.

They were dry so it was a good that I took them apart.
I'm thinking they may have been Little loose to make those marks @ 12 and 6 on take off and stopping.
I put the top bearing back in the race and it spun nicely.

Rick

[Rasputin]

Considering how much work it is to get far enough to look at those bearings, I would replace them. I can not see much in the pics but if there are any marks at all on them, replace them. They are not that expensive. My 2 cents

[bikerphil]

If the races are smooth, you should be ok. +2

[79XS11F]

If you already have them out I would drop in new ones but if you want to reuse the ones you have rotate the race 1/4 turn so the movement of the bearings is at a new spot on the race.
Rob

[crazy steve]

I'll agree with Larry and Phil; clean and repack the bearings and put 'em back.

As long as you don't get any rust in these, they'll outlast the bike.

'78E original owner