Ordered My First Lew's Tp Tonight!

[JShe8918]

I just ordered my first Lew's product tonight, a tournament pro. My question is. When i first recieve it do i need to break it down, clean, grease, and oil it? I know that I have heard revo's and several other reels come packed full of grease and oil. I was just wondering if that was the case with these reels. Also was wondering if anyone has done any upgrades to any of there lew's reels, and if so what kind of results did you see.

Thanks,

Jonathan

[BASSclary]

Not specific to Lew's, but whenever I get a new reel, the first thing I do it strip it down, degrease it, and then re-lube it with Ardent Reel Butter, Oil, and flush the bearings and replace with Ardent Bearing oil.

You will notice better performance, and a more "free" reel, IMO. its not a sluggish grease packed reel, IMO.

[new2BC4bass]

Welcome to the forum. I imagine most all companies are going to be the same. Just a guess. I don't do my own reels. Afraid I would mess something up. It has been said that the reel companies pack them with grease because of guys like me. Course how do you explain the dry ones? Poor quality control? Many forum members never fish a reel without first cleaning it. I have sent a few to DVT for cleaning before using....both new and used.

Congrats on the new reel. Recently received my first Lews reel...a Tournament Pro purchased from a member here. Didn't think to ask if he had already cleaned it (or had it cleaned). I feel safe in saying that you will like the reel. As far as upgrades, I haven't read of anyone upgrading theirs. Not even replacing bearings, although I'm sure someone, somewhere has. I too would be interested in hearing if there are any upgrades that would make a significant improvement. I will say I have been very pleased with my reel as is.

[Hi Salenity]

I like them better after the spool bearings are flushed. That said they have 3 and the center one has a pin that must be pressed out to fully remove the Bearing. However It can be left on and cleaned with brake cleaner if you don't feel comfortable trying to remove the pin.

I have one with Boca Orange seals (ran open) and I like it a LOT! Enough to sell Curados, Quantum Tour's, a Revo and a Zillion!

I do still have a Core 50 and want a Core FV? But for the price (around $150 on Ebay) the Lew's TP are hard to beat.

BTW they already have a carbon drag so that does not need upgrading.

[Capt.Bob]

I have tried a couple different bearing upgrades, both abec7 ceramics, and found a little to be gained, not a lot but a little, mostly on the lighter end throwing under 1/2 oz, as with most the 5/8 mand up didn't see much gain. Like all reels you gain a little noise with the ceramic, but gain a little smoothness also. The Lews seem to come with pretty good bearings right out of the box, but I got better performance after I flushed them and run some secret sauce in them, and am sure any of the lighter premium bearing lubes would show some benefit. Since they are stainless even the best can be improved a little with quality ceramics. Weather the small increase in performance is worth the price, that would depend on individual! I just happen to do this as a job so I want mine at peak performance as a sample. You have to decide how good is good enough, and these reals are very good right out of the box!

But I think the drag needs some help. Unlike the Shimano, that will generally match, or have slightly more stopping power than it is rated to have, and run smooth light to lock down, the Lews won't make it's factory rated max. I have tested a Team, a Tournament Pro, and a Tournament, and instead of the 14lbs. they are rated for. I'm only getting slightly over, or under, 10lbs with all three. this is plenty for most, but one reason I went with the Lews, was I wanted the 14lbs. they say they have, and although there very smooth at the light and medium settings at full lock down not as smooth on start up. I have fixed that by lubing the drag, as it is dry from the factory. These were all new reels this spring, so I don't know about earlier reels but that's what they were putting out from reels that were arriving this spring. I will try upgrading the drag with the same washers I use in the shimano reels, if I get as good a results as I do with the shimano the Lews drag will get close to the rated max braking power they advertise, and will be butter smooth light to max, same as I get with the Shimano. The thing stopping it from reaching the Max poundage it is rated for, I believe, is the bottom washer under the drive gear. It is a totally different material than the washers on top of the drive gear which are carbon, I don't know why else the two different materials??. Plus they run it dry, so it is smoother once some drag grease is applied, I think this bottom washer, which is smaller, is different to keep a smoother start up to make up for the dry drag with the type washers being used. I know when I replace the Shimano washers from the Dartainium, with my upgraded washers, I always run em wet with my favorite drag grease, this makes the Shimano run like butter from light drag to full lock down, and I gain 1 1/2 to 2 lbs more stopping power. So when I run a few drag upgrades I will let everyone know how that works out.

[Hi Salenity]

Another thing if I remember correctly I flushed a Curado and a TP at the same time and I don't thing the TP bearings were nearly as greased up and as slow as the Curados were.

[JShe8918]

Thank you everyone! Lots of good info! I am scared to clean it and flush it myself, so it looks like i will be fishing it until around late september r mid November and sending it off to KVT for some upgrades and tuning.

[Bassn Blvd]

I was one of the first members to buy the new Lews TP when they came out. Mine function today just as good as the day I received them and I have yet to break them dowm. I've added a drop of oil to each one and the worm gear but that's it.

That being said, I DO need to send'em in for professional cleaning though. I just HATE parting with my gear.