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Anyone know where I might find some steering head races for my Road 250?
I have tried UK suppliers and Recambio usado, but no joy as yet.

Hi Max,

In what way are they different to the Italian bikes?


Cheers,

Colin

Aye Max,

"Classic Ducati" appear to have what you require in stock. Link: steering-head-races

However, I have no idea of the quality of the races they supply! Be aware that the last pair of races that I purchased, manufactured in "Italy", were bright chrome plated and made from something soft! Consequently, they only lasted 12,000 miles, before the races were indented by the balls and the chrome was flaking off. At £100 a pair of races I thought it expensive, for Parmesan cheese.

Consequently, I opted for Nigel Lacey's tapered bearing conversion, which although more expensive, when installed and properly set up will likely outlast me! Link: Lacey_Ducati_steering_parts

I hope that this helps.

Good health, Bill

Max, Pretty sure I have a new old stock pair of cups for an Italian frame.......don't know if they fit the Spanish frame?
Cheers,
George

Hi Colin

In what way are they different to the Italian bikes?

Sadly I have no idea . It would be great if they were the same, there might be more retailers available.

Hi Bill
I see the 'Italian' bearings! I have never bought a set of races that were bright chrome plated before, somehow doesn't look right.
Taper rollers are good (I have some in my Velo), but I am no engineer, so wouldn't be a ble to make them fit .

Hi George
If you have a complete set (not just the cups) I could be interested. I would have to knock the cups out of the frame to measure for size.

It's actually just the top cone that is showing signs of damage, the other bearing surfaces look good.
The cone has an inside ID of 26mm and is about 11mm thick.

The steering head cups on Spanish Ducatis are identical to the Italian bikes.
Most of the cones are the same, possibly with the exception of the 24 horas, which has a different part number, although I think they would fit.

Jon

Aye Max,

Hi Bill
I see the 'Italian' bearings! I have never bought a set of races that were bright chrome plated before, somehow doesn't look right.
Taper rollers are good (I have some in my Velo), but I am no engineer, so wouldn't be a ble to make them fit .

I am no enginer either, but Nigel was very helpful in enabling me to fit the races, he having measured the alignment of my steering stem to the lower yoke and due to my throwing the bike up the road many years ago, bending it! It was so bad that I had to supply another steering stem from my stock of spares and even that required a wee straighten. Nigel then machined my yokes, so as to allow for the increased depth of the taper roller bearings, when compared with the ball race set-up and installed the steering stem in the lower yoke. Drifting the cups from the frame is not a difficult job, the removal of the race from the steering stem/bottom yoke is the tricky one and I used a Dremel, with a metal cutting disc, along with a sharp small cold chisel to do that. Before sending the yokes off to Nigel and taking accurate measurements of the depth of the frame steering tube, as Nigel instructed. The quality of the metal he used and the accuracy of the machining, as you would expect, was spot on.

If you are going to use the beastie, I would suggest taper rollers.

Good health and a Happy Easter, Bill

Hi Max,
It looks like you have only two choices - either go for the Lacey taper-roller conversion or fit the Classic Ducati replacement set. It is one of those situations where choice is limited.


Cheers,

Colin

I have just checked and Andy at The Bevel Side Of Life in Germany has new bearing sets listed, and they may be of German manufacture! Have a look at the web site under 'bearings'. Andy is a great guy and speaks English.

Just want to say thanks for all the advice, all I have to do now is make a decision!

Aye Max,

Go and give the Velo an airing, afore the Grockles clutter up your turf for another season!

With a clear head after a good run, it'll all become clear.

Good health, Bill