38 Chief Top Steering Head Bearing Install Help

[Skirted]

Installing new top OE style bearing with 21 loose balls. Anyone know trick to reassemble the fork in head and get the nut wound on keeping all the balls in the cup? I greased them up well but the first attempt was a fail as balls dislocated. Seems like need some way to keep upward pressure on the stem so its seated in lower (tapered) bearing and also keep it perfectly centered in head at top as nut is making contact with balls. Any guidance appreciated.

[RonH]

I use my lift to keep the pressure on the front wheel and then after I greased up the balls so they stay in the bearing, use the lift that is under your bike to lower the bike down using the weight of the frame to hold things in place. then assemble the top bearing race and balls and assemble, easy peasy! just use enough grease to hold the balls in place. It wipes off easy enough.

[Skirted]

My fork is completely disassembled but I was able to makeshift mount the wheel to fork without assembling the myriad of leaf spring linkage and having the wheel/tire there did improve positioning ability enough to keep it centered. All Good Thanks