Headset Ball bearing size

[taximan]

Some time ago I aquired a much neglected Dawes Shadow which I suspect dates from the 1980s or perhaps a little later. (it came with 27X11/4 wheels). It is unlikely that I will be able to ride in the foseeable future so I have decided to use the bike as a project for the summer months. Can anyone tell me what size head bearings I am likely to need, and how many. When I stripped it down I found 24 in the top race and 22 in the bottom so some balls were obviously missing. Also can anyone remember if the Dawes Shadow was any good or not. Thank in advance.

 

[Paulus]

The ball bearing size will be either 5/32 or 3/16 and can range from 22 to 25 balls in the race depending on the size.
Were the ball bearings that pitted or worn that with a good clean up and fitted with fresh grease they cannot be reused?
The Dawes Shadow was nothing exceptional, but was a reasonable first road bike that rides well.

 

[taximan]

The ball bearing size will be either 5/32 or 3/16 and can range from 22 to 25 balls in the race depending on the size.
Were the ball bearings that pitted or worn that with a good clean up and fitted with fresh grease they cannot be reused?
The Dawes Shadow was nothing exceptional, but was a reasonable first road bike that rides well.

Thanks for that Paulus, The ball in the top race seem OK but the bottom seems to have been assembled with little or no grease and suffered from water ingress.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I've got a Dawes Shadow. A very nice, if not special, bike. It's my turbo bike at the moment.

Don't know the ball sizes, sorry.