HOME and how to join › Forum › Open Area › General Scott topics › Special Bearing
Hello!
I’m searching for s special ball-bearing.
outer diameter: 2 1/4″
inner diameter: 1 1/16″
width: 5/8″
It is for a BURMAN 3speed box from approximately 1932.
Has anybody an idea where I can buy such a bearing?
lg,
Alexander
I’ve never done any business with them but maybe https://www.obsolete-bearings.com/ might prove useful?
Alex
I have used and would recomend: vintagebearings.co.uk who are based in Derbyshire, UK. If they haven’t got the exact bearing they can usually help with an alternative.
There is, confusingly, a German Vintage Bearings Company site on the
Internet. Sure you will get some joy from one of them!
Malcolm
The answer from obsolete-bearings:
SORRY UNABLE TO HELP ON THIS ONE
THE STANDARD BEARING IS 1″BORE X 2.1/4″ OUTSIDE X 5/8″ THICK (RHP REF NO.LJ1″)
THANKS DAVE
BEARING + ENGINEERING SERVICES LTD
I have send an email to a Dutch specialist on difficult bearings. Keep you posted!
Erik
Thanks ERIK let me know when you’ve got news!
Alex
Well, they were quick with their answer… but not what you would like to hear! They could not even find the bearing in the 1940-s catalogues…
I’m sorry!
Erik
PS: a lot of bikes used the burman boxes (in fact my 1927 Ready has one too, see pic). Maybe one of the spares schemes of other make clubs?

PS2: Ich dachte, ich suche auch mal auf dem Forum von motoclub.de aber das hast Du selber auch schon gemacht… ![]()
If you know of a good precision grinder it may be possible to get the standard bearing quoted ground out in the bore from 1″ to 1 1/16″. Possibly a last resort as the experts will comment on concentricity etc. but it will keep the bike running. One can fill the space where the balls are with wax of carefully dismantle the cage.
I have had this carried out on a taper bearing for the headstock of a Velocette where the top one is the standard 1″ size but the lower one 1 1/16″
Like Ian Parsons I too have resorted to the cylindrical grinder in the past, it does work even if it seems drastic, but it requires a lot of care and if you’ve not got a good grinder in the shed, expensive! The down side is the possibility of even a small amount of distortion being introduced into what is a very accurately made item with little room to accommodate any such shape changes.
But all is not entirely lost. What about using a standard 6006 bearing and making steel sleeves to make up the difference?
The 6006 principal dimensions are 55 x 30 x 13. It has a quoted dynamic load rating of 13.8kN which should be plenty surely?
In order to use the biggest undersize bearing the re-sizing sleeve thickness needs must be kept as thin as possible and I’d suggest using something a bit better than standard mild steel here because of that. Maybe something like 080M40 might do the business.
The benefits? The 6006 bearing is a standard size and therefore comparatively cheap. With access to turning facilities producing the sleeves is a straight forward and cost effective turning exercise, with a bit of care and a drop of the Loctite type adhesive it should be problem solved.
And best of all you have made no changes that cannot be reversed.