(SOLVED)Cota 348 steering head bearings

[Montesa13]

(SOLVED)Can anyone tell me where I can pick up a pair of steering head bearings for a Montesa Cota 348 (loose ball type)?

[pop]

Do you mean caged ball bearing type? You could just use loose bearings in there.

[Montesa13]

Do you mean caged ball bearing type? You could just use loose bearings in there.

That's how they are referred to (loose ball type) on the In Motion website but they are out of stock, but yes not tapered roller type.

[pop]

what size are the balls? 8mm?

[Montesa13]

what size are the balls? 8mm?

I actually think I'm missing some part from the top of the steering stem. There's a "cage"(plastic) top (two balls missing) and bottom with the bearings fitted into it, there's a race? (my definition) on the bottom centre triple clamp and one in the steering stem (bottom). At the top of the steering stem there is a "race" in the stem with caged balls and then a washer that fits into the stem and keeps the balls in place (two balls missing at top remember) then a flange that fits over the stem and a nut with a taper facing up that screws onto the central steering "axel" and holds everything firmly in place,that nut has to be VERY tight to stop backward and forward slop in the steering stem when front brakes are applied. This leads me to think there is a top "race" missing or could it just be the missing balls creating the "slop" when all is assembled ie top triple clamp and handlebars are in place?

CONFUSED!!!!

[David Lahey]

There should be inner and outer races with balls between them at the top and the bottom
Both outer races fit into the steering head of the frame. Both inner races fit onto the steering stem
From your description you are missing the top inner race
The steering axle is called the stem
The bearing housing is called the steering head or headstock

Even if you have all the races in the correct positions, if the ball tracks in the races are worn or pitted, it is impossible to get rid of the slack without also making the steering lumpy to turn. It is very common to have pits and wear in the steer bearing races on old trials bikes

[Montesa13]

There should be inner and outer races with balls between them at the top and the bottom
Both outer races fit into the steering head of the frame. Both inner races fit onto the steering stem
From your description you are missing the top inner race
The steering axle is called the stem
The bearing housing is called the steering head or headstock

Even if you have all the races in the correct positions, if the ball tracks in the races are worn or pitted, it is impossible to get rid of the slack without also making the steering lumpy to turn. It is very common to have pits and wear in the steer bearing races on old trials bikes

Just as I thought David ... No outer top race. At least I got across what I was trying to say in my rudimentary way!! Only a flat "washer" no wonder I can't get rid of the sloppy steering without as you say making the steering "lumpy" and thanks for educating me too I got into bikes late in life but am really enjoying learning something new, it's very much appreciated, as I've said in another post "I'm no bike mechanic" (you'd never guess) LOL NOW all I have to do is remember what you've said. :)

[Montesa13]

Do you know where I can get the steering head bearings David?

[David Lahey]

Sorry I haven't needed to replace the steering bearings for my 348, but if I did I would just buy the tapered type bearings that In Motion sell for it. You may be able to buy tapered bearings from a bearing shop but you will need to know the diameters of the inner and outer races and the assembled thickness of an inner and an outer with balls in place
If it is just the one race you need and the others are in good condition, it is possible that the part you want is the same as what is used on a Bultaco, or maybe someone has an old set of Montesa bearings in which case I (or many other dirt bike nuts) might have reasonable second hand parts you could have. You would need to measure up the ball diameter and the diameters of the race you need unless someone else can say what size they are.

[David Lahey]

I just looked in the 348 manual and it doesn't give the size of the steering bearings, just the Montesa part number