Originally Posted by
Psimet2001
There shouldn't be any play in a headset. Just adjust it correctly. As for the retainer - you can run plain ball bearings in there you will just need more of them as the retainer takes up more room and keeps the bearings equally spaced. It's also just a pain in the butt to put it all together with loose ball bearings. Use a lot of grease to help keep all the bearings in place while re-assembling.
I agree, no play in the headset.
UNLESS something is worn, bent, or out of alignment, in which case it should be fixed.
You may worry about friction in the hubs, but not in the headset as long as it doesn't stick.
The local co-op here has a mound of excess headset parts to dig through, or a bike shop should have the the proper bearings.