steering head bearings

[midden]

Just removed steering head to reveal the ball bearings  and to find them still nicely greased.   Anyway I notice a lot of the aftermarket replacements are tapered rollers.  are tapered bearings seen as a downgrade, upgrade  or simple the same as

[darrsi]

https://www.motorcycle.com/ask-mo-anything/why-do-oems-use-ball-bearings-in-steering-heads.html

[celticdog]

As usual it's all about the money!

[His Dudeness]

I had a small bit of play in my steering bearings so I greased and tightened them but the play came back a few months later so I replaced them with tapered bearings. It made a huge difference. Much lighter, smoother feel to the steering. The old bearings seemed fine until I put the new ones in

[Hedgetrimmer]

Don't taper rollers last longer? Something about ball bearings, when they loosen, causing indents in the races, which doesn't happen with tapers?

[midden]

Well it seems conclusive with Darrsi's article and foccer experiences tapered rollers are an upgrade 


So the question now is  even though my originals were well greased when removed, appear undamaged  do I  re-grease and refit them as a service  or upgrade now  just because I can

[Hedgetrimmer]

How do you feel about it?

[midden]

Indifferent     hopefully it won't disturb my sleep 

[His Dudeness]

If there's no signs of wear and the steering feels good leave them. It's not the most enjoyable job to do. Getting the lower race out is difficult because the part you hit against is very narrow.

[darrsi]

If there's no signs of wear and the steering feels good leave them. It's not the most enjoyable job to do. Getting the lower race out is difficult because the part you hit against is very narrow.

"...not the most enjoyable job to do..."


You're not wrong there, mine was a bloody nightmare, and it wasn't even me doing it. 

[midden]

Decision made,  cheers focs