A clutch bearing assembly has inner and outer rings defining a race for ball bearings. The outer ring is adapted to engage a clutch lever, and the inner ring is adapted to be a stationary ring. A sliding sleeve for the assembly is coupled to the inner ring by deformable elements positively affixed to one of these members. The deformable elements may be wire bights having their ends axially inserted in grooves in the inner ring and sliding sleeve. Alternatively, the deformable element may be a spiral spring radially engaging an axial extension of the inner ring and having ends inserted in axially extending holes in the sliding sleeve.