ball bearing question for 1985 schwinn madison
12-08-10, 11:25 AM
#1
packing shed cassanova
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: can be found with the traffic in the streets of fresno ca.
Posts: 202
Bikes: 07 bianchi pista, 09 mercier kilo tt, 09 masi speciale fixed LTD, late 80s masi nuova strada, full campy gruppo, 89 centurion accordo, 88 peugeot versallies, 93 faggin 14 speed full shimano 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ball bearing question for 1985 schwinn madison
i just bought a 85 schwinn madison track bike and i want to overhaul the bottom bracket, headset, and wheels. my question is do i have to replace the bearings? i have rebuilt many 1 piece crank schwinns (older stingrays) and never had a problem, but this is my 1st rebuild of something more precision than the rays. the bike looks like it was barely used so i would imagine it has very little wear. the headset is tange, hubs are suntour sprint, and im pretty sure the bottom bracket is sugino (the bike has not got here yet), thanks!
12-08-10, 11:44 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
Unless the bearings are rusty or obviously damaged, you should be able to reuse them. For all practical purposes bearing balls don't wear out and, despite inaccurate claims to the contrary, don't go out-of-round with use. However, if you suspect the OEM bearing quality wasn't very good, then replacing them with new Grade 25 balls is a cheap upgrade. Also, discarding any retainers and replacing them with loose balls will allow more balls to fit and improve bearing life.
For a bike that old and hasn't been ridden in a long time, I would disassemble, clean and relube every bearing in it before riding it one inch. It's highly likely the grease has dried out completely and any riding prior to an overhaul will cause real damage.
For a bike that old and hasn't been ridden in a long time, I would disassemble, clean and relube every bearing in it before riding it one inch. It's highly likely the grease has dried out completely and any riding prior to an overhaul will cause real damage.
12-08-10, 11:48 AM
#3
Banned
Inspect the BB axle races for Pits, if found replace the axle, Balls are Cheap.
The Cups are another place where wear and tear shows up ,
once clean , get out the magnifying glass.
The Cups are another place where wear and tear shows up ,
once clean , get out the magnifying glass.
