Although the headstock casting suffered an exaggeratedly-narrow waisting below the line of the spindle the bearings (and the spindle itself) were well designed and of generous proportions. The front bearing, parallel on its outside surface, was tapered 5 degrees on its inner and could be adjusted for initial clearance by a ring, screwed to the spindle, which also acted to absorb end thrust.
The end bearing was held between a pair of screwed rings and could be moved forwards and backwards in the casting, so altering the clearance of the front bearing; some considerable juggling of the settings must have been required to get a setting that was free-running, end-float-free and reliable.