Indyv8a

I am going to be attempting to repack the bearings on a early eighties set of Weinmann wheels. The are from a vintage Autro-Daimler Olympian. The are 700c wheels, and here's my question: What is the likely size of the ball bearing for front and rear? I am going to pick up a tool kit and repair stand this week, and was hoping to save a trip back to the shop for the bearings.

HillRider

Most likely but not guaranteed:

Rear: 1/4" balls, 9 per side
Front: 3/16" balls, 10 per side.

Buy "Grade 25" bearing balls as they are much higher quality than Grade 200.

moxfyre

Rear wheels are pretty much all 1/4" bearings... at least in the 10+ wheels I've ever repacked. Front hubs can be 3/16" or 5/32", which are quite difficult to tell apart so probably bringing them to the store is a good idea.

Keep in mind that if that bearings haven't been maintained since the early eighties, the hub cones may be worn out from dirt in the hubs, and they may need to be replaced as well. That's no problem as long as you can find appropriate replacement cones! Then again, if the wheels have been maintained decently or not been ridden much in the meantime, some new bearings and grease should do the trick.

Grand Bois

What kind of front hubs use 5/32" balls?

moxfyre

Some Maillard made-in-Belgium hub from the early 80s, if I recall correctly... okay, on second though, 3/16" is probably vastly more common

Indyv8a

Sounds like I will have 5/32, since my hubs are Malliard front with Sachs freewheel in the rear. Sounds like I'll just have to get the tools and pull them apart. Now I have to hope the cone/hub surfaces aren't toast, cuz I definitely don't want to have to rehub the wheels.