I'd like to talk ball-bearings, for a bit...

Ok, I nned some ball bearings and I don't know where to get them or what size I want:
Basically, I need some ball bearings for a single speed freewheel. All I know is that they very small and easily lost in the carpet.
Does anyone know the size?
Also, does anyone know where is a good place to buy them online?

thanks
Ives

Usual sizes are 1/4" ,3/16" and 5/32"(4mm).Very occasionally 5mm. You are best to measure one. Ebay is a good source for small quantities c 100.
http://tinyurl.com/de4yun

http://tinyurl.com/dxu352
Better link

thanks for the ebay tip :)
the ones I'm after are tiny....look like about 2-3mm diameter

You get different grades and hardnesses too. The grade refers to how round they are. The smaller the number the better. Have bought from http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/ before. The ones on ebay typically are grade 100 or above - so okay for some stuff. Campag specify grade 25 or better for their components and fully through hardened.
Also you shouldn't mix and match ball bearing batches, so if you buy some new ones dont mix them with your olds ones. You could take any remaining ball bearings into a bike shop and they could tell you what size they are. Or see if there are any hints on sheldon.

3/32",2.38mm?

3/32",2.38mm?

I'm guessing, but that sounds right.
I took one apart back in the late 70's and seem to remember 3/32 being the bearing size I needed back then

Do you have any bearings left? You should be able to take one along to your freindly lbs to measure I believe.

yes, I have one....I'll pop into my LBS tomorrow
cheers!

sorry to drag this thread up from the murky depth of lfgss history but, i have been searching for 3/32" bearings 25 grade, so far i have only managed to find 25 grade on ukbikestore in a 150 pack for £20 seems pretty steep . . .

I usually use http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/index.php but they don't seem to have grade 25 either. I wonder if they're not made to that grade in that size?

they are, seen in 2 places $4 for 100 in america, £20 for 150 in uk. . . fucking ridiculous!

Yes, sorry, I should have been clearer in what I meant. Maybe that is old stock, getting rarer, getting more expensive. Or maybe it's just f*****g ridiculous.

Just buy them from the US then.

Just buy them from the US then.
i obviously would if i could, they dont ship to the uk though. . .

3/32 seem to be a little uncommon, wheels manufacturing are represented by Madison here in the UK and they have most sizes available in 25 grade- but NOT 3/32 as far as I can see.

Most freewheels are so poorly sealed against dirt, water etc that mucking about with a better grade of bearing is a bit of the old "polishing a turd" routine. Not to diss your efforts, I'm excessively inclined to save mechanical devices by machining new bits for them myself.....
Good luck,
Scherrit.

i was going to use these for pedal bearings, i might just go down 100 grade route though

found a set of 500 3/32" grade 25 for $22 incl shipping to uk (im quite happy now) just serach for them and you should find them (enable world wide search)