headset bearings
 

I popped into a local independent bike shop here today and asked for a set of headset bearings for a 1" headset. The guy goes on about how I will have to bring my bike in because all headset bearings are different and there is nothing he can just sell me. I was also looking for the top nut for a japanese headset, chrome 24TPI and he said I have to buy a whole headset to get the nut.

Is any of this true?

Mike

Nonsense!
Most period 1" headsets use 5/32", or in some cases, 3/16" balls. The trick is to fill each race up, then remove 1 or 2. Typically you'll be left with 24 to 26 balls in each race.
Also, getting a top nut shouldn't be a problem, as you know the thread you need. The only thing you need to watch for is the nut bottoming out on the top of the fork steerer before it hits the spacers (or other locknut in some cases).