Caged Ball Steering Bearings | Honda CT90 / Trail 90 / CB100 / CL100 / CB125 / CL125
A fresh set of steering head bearings for the small-bore Hondas, with the balls held in a retainer instead of running loose. Upper and lower bearings and races, ready to go in.
Why You Need This
The factory steering head on these bikes runs on loose steel balls, 21 to a race, packed in grease between a cone and a ball race. Nothing holds them in place. Take the top nut off and they come out with it — which is the part of the job everybody remembers.
After decades of use those balls wear, collect dirt, go out of alignment, rust and pit. Steering gets harder, and the bike is less safe for it. This set restores the head to factory specification.
The difference is the cage. Our caged bearings hold the balls securely in place instead of leaving them loose in the race, so they go in as one piece and stay where you put them while you line up the stem. Servicing and replacement get a great deal easier.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Replaces OEM Parts | 53211-028-010, 53211-028-000, 96211-06000, 50301-041-010, 50301-041-305, 53212-030-010, 53212-030-000 |
| Fits Models | CT90 / Trail 90 K0–K9 (1966–1978), CB100 K0–K2 (1970–1975), CL100 Scrambler K0–K3 (1970–1973), CB125 S0–S2 / SA (1973–1978), CL125 Scrambler S0–S1 (1973–1975) |
| Sold As | Complete set — upper and lower caged bearings and races |
Note: this set does not include a replacement dust seal. Plan on reusing your original, or add the lower dust seal and washer kit as an option on this page when you order.
Model-Specific Notes
- CB125S / CL125S: covered. A good number of the parts we carry for the CT90 cross over to the CB125S, and this is one of them.
- CB350 and larger: not this set. The bigger twins and fours use a larger ball and a different steering head entirely.
What's in the Kit
- Upper and lower caged ball bearings
- Upper and lower bearing races
Installation
Difficulty: Intermediate
Tools needed: a 36 mm pin spanner (Honda tool no. 07902-0010000) for the steering head top thread, a long punch or a flathead screwdriver, and a good wheel bearing grease.
- Strip the front end and drive the original ball races out of the frame and off the triple tree stem. Work them out evenly rather than letting them cock to one side.
- Take particular care getting the lower inner race off the stem. The dust seal underneath is easy to destroy in the process, and this set does not include a replacement.
- Test fit all the components before you put any grease near them, and check the orientation of the inner races and the bearings while everything is still clean.
- Pack the bearings and the outer races with a high-quality wheel bearing grease.
- Drive the new races into the frame squarely, then set the stem and fit the bearings.
- Set the adjustment at the top thread nut: screw it in until you feel resistance, then back it off about an eighth of a turn so the stem turns smoothly with no play in any direction.
- Check it properly once it is together. With the front wheel off the ground, slight pressure should start the wheel moving to either side under its own weight, and there should be no clearance vertically or fore and aft.
Follow your factory Honda service manual for the bearing play adjustment and the top triple tree nut torque figure for your model. On the 1977–79 CT90 that nut is 6.0–7.0 kg-m (43.4–50.7 lb-ft). That figure is specific to those years, so use the book for your own model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does one set do both the top and the bottom?
Yes. One set covers both ends — upper and lower bearings and both races. You do not need to order two.
Does this include a dust seal?
No. The set is bearings and races only. Most people reuse the original seal, and if yours is past it, the lower dust seal and washer kit is available as an option on this page.
What makes the caged set different from the loose factory balls?
The balls are held in a retainer. Loose factory balls sit free in the race, so they fall out the moment you open the head and have to be counted back in one at a time. The caged set goes in as a single piece.
Will this fit my CB125S?
Yes. The CB125S and CL125S are covered, along with the CT90, CB100 and CL100.
Is there a video for this job?
Not for this one. Our steering bearing videos cover the tapered roller conversion on the larger twins, and that is a different part with a different procedure — do not follow it for this set. Your factory manual is the guide here.
You Might Also Need
Last updated: September 2026
