Wanted: Any suggestions on the best place to get new bearings for my 80s Bottom Bracket?

I'm renovating an 80s Dura Ace BB - it's Italian threaded, though I don't think this should make any difference. The old bearings which came with it are covered and have an approximate diameter of 30mm. I'd be most grateful if someone could point me in the right direction.
Thanks.

There was a brand new boxed Italian threaded 7400 DA BB at the Muswell Hill cyclejumble. Not sure who was selling it though, maybe if you ask around someone might know.
Sorry can't help otherwise.

Oh really? I couldn't make it...I wonder if it was Hilary...

Thanks for that :-)

I'm certain it wasn't Hilary (the only person whos name i did get), think it was a chap on the far wall from entrance, I didn't know anyone but I deffo picked up & thought about buying it until I saw it was marked ITA.
Could have sold but it was certainly on the table around 11-11:30. Sorry i can't be more helpful

No, that's great thanks - I'll ask around if I get desperate...I found some 30x 17mm x 7mm bearings last night - from a company unambiguously called Midlands Bearings...£2.50 each! I'm hoping that it'll save me the £50+ it'd cost me on the Bay for a new BB.

Cheers

Can't you get or use 1/4" loose balls?

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Wald-Steel-Ball-Bearings-100/dp/B001BWDBVQ"]Like this.[/ame]

1980's (Shimano) BB sets had loose ball bearings, no cartridges yet.
1st cartridge type Shimano used was BB-UN10 from Thun and that was in the 90's, for lower series only.
Dura Ace was BB-7410, a couple of years later.

Go to a decent bike shop. Get them to use a bearing guage* to ascertain exactly what size you need.

*

Thanks DC & Skully - just stuck the covered bearings on and they seem to work fine. The un-branded BB which came with the bike had a generic 113mm BB and only one covered set of balls. The left and right cups are showing their age, but I'll get them in just about.
I'm watching out for a proper Dura Ace EX BB, which as you say have loose bearings - but until I find one at a decent price, these'll do nicely.
Cheers