How many BBs in bottom bracket? (old Raleigh)

[mcswell]

I'm rebuilding an old Raleigh road bike. I rode it for several years, then hung it up. I'm retired now, so I have time to work on it (and it may outlive me!).

I took apart the bottom bracket, and it looks to be in pretty good shape--no obvious bad BBs, race looks ok (I think). But there are 21 BBs (Ball Bearings). It seems like there ought to be an even number, shouldn't there? Same number on left and right.

In case it matters, the spindle has "3S*" stamped on one side (the * is an actual 5-pointed star) and "E012" (or "EO12") on the other.

[TheBomber]

I’d have thought so too, but it’s not particularly critical if 1 is missing. Just make sure that you never have 1 more than will fit (I’m assuming they’re not in a cage) or loads will be very unevenly shared. For similar reasons, if you do replace the bearings then buy from a trusted source such as Simply Bearings or SJSC, and change all of them - don’t just top it up.

[Mike Sales]

There should be 22 balls. 11 per side. Isn't it more likely that one has got lost rather than one appeared from nowhere?
3S gives the size of the axle, that is the lengths of the ends and centre. If my memory serves me well, 3 is the number for a standard BB, that is a modern Raleigh one, not the old 26 thread per inch, but 24 tpi like other makes. 5 would designate an old Raleigh. The width of the BB shell will be a tell. Old Raleigh was wider, about 71mm, rather than 68mm like the standard for threaded brackets. Trying cups from other makes would be a clincher.
By "old" I refer to the standard, not the particular age of the bike. It's quite a few years since they changed over standards.
If you need more explanation, please do ask.

[Carlton green]

Loose ball bearings are so cheap - and important too - that it’s false economy not to use good quality new ones - replace the lot with fresh ones. Your local bearing shop might do over the counter sales or else eBay works. The quality spec required escapes me but use this forum’s search function to get it - cheap and cheerful steel balls sold for bikes tend to be too low a quality.

[mcswell]

Thanks to all! Yes, I'm sure one got lost somewhere, I'll probably find it some day. And while the existing ones looked ok to me, I'll be replacing them, as Carlton suggested. I just needed to know how many to put in there; 22 it is.

I calipered the bracket shell, and it's indeed 68mm.

I'll be posting another query, about the headset bearings. Thank you again for your help!