1/8" bearings headset?

[22point8]

I was bored and had some 5/32" loose bearings and thought I'd have a go at replacing the headset bearings in an Elswick Lincoln Imp (1958), so I get the stem out (thought it was stuck at first, has a stupid bung thing instead of a wedge), get to the top bearings and they were really small. I measured them and they are 1/8" as are the lower ones by the forks. I put some 5/32" in thinking maybe the original owner put the wrong size in, but the bearings were visible when everything was screwed down, so I put the 1/8" back.

Was 1/8" bearing headsets a 1950s trend? I found a reference to a Hercules with the same thing.

http://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/788746-1-8-5-32-inch-headset-bearings.html

 

[Drago]

I can't help with your question, but I'd love to see some pics of the bike.

 

[22point8]

I can't help with your question, but I'd love to see some pics of the bike.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/elswick-lincoln-imp-1958.198021/

 

[midlife]

Are they 9/16 th bearings?

Shaun

 

[22point8]

Are they 9/16 th bearings?

Shaun

They measured between 0.11 and 0.12" on my calipers, thats between 3 and 3.1mm, assuming they were a bit worn out the nearest size is 1/8". I though 9/16" is the standard pedal spindle size, those would be big bearings!

I serviced the pedals yesterday too, they are Phillips Apollo No.83 the lock washer was missing from the right pedal, but I found one today, the pedal bearings were 5/32" when I was expecting 1/8".

The crank side bearings were really clean and shiny, the outboard ones were in whatever super sticky blackish brown olden days grease. I spent about 2 hours trying to get the the right pedal smooth, before releasing the lock washer was gone. The left pedal took 15 minutes and I got the tension right on the first attempt.

Included pic is just a reference picture I found.

 

[midlife]

ooops... meant to say 3/16th

Standard headset size for my 70's bikes apart from the Campag Pista and Gran Sport which were smaller at 5/32 nd.

9/16th huge LOL

Shaun

 

[22point8]

Well, I put some 1/8 in there anyway and all seems fine. I was right to leave a 2 bearing gap right? I sorted out the right hand pedal, but its not quite as good as the left, and 3 out the 4 gears work (can't get the benelux mk 7 mech to return to the biggest cog).