The front wheel and forks are off..triple trees still on. Thought I would check them and notice there is a sort of click into forward, left and right positions. Is this normal?..would think things should be smooth throughout the turning radius. Are the bearings shot?

Sounds like they are shot. They should be smooth all the way from left to right. No noise, bar the suck of thick grease.

Found the problem..one ball bearing missing off the top end. Manual indicates 22 but i count 21. Question is..how did it escape?

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Looks a bit rough to me!

After 30 years isn`t this what you would expect to see?

I`ll clean it up, replace the missing bearing and repack it.

After 30 years isn`t this what you would expect to see?

I`ll clean it up, replace the missing bearing and repack it.

well yes it is, but if there are indents on the races then It's time for something new

They look knackered to me , and over time you will find the balls will have flat spots and the chrome de-laminates on the races.

Why not get a nice new tapered bearing kit?

After a cleanup they look pretty ok to me. Can get the missing ball from the dealership.

Ebineezer "

Actually unemployed and having to stick to a tight budget.

Sorry Mac" it was seasonal , and thot it fitted the post, ,,,

Not to worry..actually had enough of the rat race..just want to restore these old bikes now...but have to watch the moolah with them.

Ok I`m confused..the manual indicates 22 balls on the top yoke but with 22 in it looks like one still missing. I`m sure it needs another one..can it be an error in the manual?

Hello..anybody reading this?. This is holding me up. Getting no replies so going to stick another bearing in there and see how it is.

I think that might be normal... so they can roll freely. ??

doesnt make sense..the bottom ball bearings pack nice and tight together..why would the top have a gap?

Our DT's have 19 off 1/4 bearings in the bottom and 22 off 3/16 bearings in the top, the XT250G the same isnt it?

http://www.cmsnl.com/yamaha-xt250g-dual-purpose-1980_model8766/partslist/

I've read that because the loose balls don't have a cage to keep them separated there's a little bit of a gap. Some gaps are big enough for one ball and others about half that size. As long as you have the correct number of balls I think you should be okay. ??

I`ve ordered another ball (they`re only ZAR2,00) and if it goes in nicely I`ll leave it there. The action when turning is not smooth so will check it with 23 balls in.