Need help with bearing for 1994 Impact Headest.

[alkingsmill]

Hi folks first time on here, never seen so many old Kona's in one place together, Good to know they're still out there.

I'm doing up a 1994 Kilauea, picked a nice frame up off ebay for £80 and have spent the last six months buying a mixture of a new and second hand gear, some retro and some of that there modern Shimano & Race Face stuff. I've got the original Joe Murrey Impact Headset that still looks to be in excellent condition but has no bearings. Anyone got any idea the size's i need, the race thingy at the top looks tiny, bottom one much bigger. Also where to get the bearings from, different qualities (price) and whether to use them in a retainer or let them sit free. Do i fill the race with bearings or leave a gap etc...ahhh so many questions !!

Got hundreds of pounds worth of kit sat in front of me all ready to go and i'm stuck on the first job already. Any help appreciated.

 

[mousemat]

Hi,

The lower bearings are bigger than the top bearings. I think the lowers are 1/4" and the upper bearings are 5/32".

Hope this helps, mousemat.

 

[alkingsmill]

Hi,

The lower bearings are bigger than the top bearings. I think the lowers are 1/4" and the upper bearings are 5/32".

Hope this helps, mousemat.

Thanks, i looked on a few sites selling bearings and they seem cheap enough so ill have a go with the sizes you mentioned. Still not sure if its better to use them on their own or in retainers though any advice ?

 

[cce]

i had a control centre years back - i used loose balls in it.

 

[elite504]

ditto mousemat. Thats correct.

 

[mousemat]

Personaly I would use the races to hold the bearings as it stops them falling out everywhere! All the impacts I have had have used the races and I have a NOS control centre that has races too.

 

[guybe]

Does anyone know where to find ball bearings set for the Kona headset? I visited my local bike shop, he was unable to help apart giving loose ball bearings, prefer the orginal ones, I need upper and lower ones for my headset from 1991 Lavadome, I want to use that headset on the Hahanna bike later on.