nameiztaken Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 So I got a (appears to be new) Bantam Chronarch 100 for $15... Not really sure where to start here... maybe bearings? The freespool time is like 3 seconds, after all I dont think its been used/broken in. Handle seems a little off compared to my other reels, I like swept & drilled handles. Any replacements for those? Looking for some ideas 2 Quote
jdz197 Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 I look on ebay and never find a deal that good. What's the secret? Quote
Super User Raul Posted March 2, 2017 Super User Posted March 2, 2017 A good cleaning and lubing would be the only upgrade that reel would need in my opinion. 5 Quote
PatrickKnight Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 2 hours ago, Raul said: A good cleaning and lubing would be the only upgrade that reel would need in my opinion. Yep! Send it out to DVT let him tear it down and get a good look at it. He will be able to tell you if anything needs replaced. Those reels were bulletproof and if it were me I would leave it as such. 1 Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted March 2, 2017 Super User Posted March 2, 2017 2 hours ago, Raul said: A good cleaning and lubing would be the only upgrade that reel would need in my opinion. This. 1 Quote
Basswhippa Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 That reel was upgraded to begin with. It probably doesn't need anything if new. Use it. 1 Quote
Largemouth21 Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 4 hours ago, jdz197 said: I look on ebay and never find a deal that good. What's the secret? YARD SALES!!! Lol you can find great deals there. Found some mint condition Mepps spinners for 50 cents once. You never know what you will find... Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 2, 2017 Super User Posted March 2, 2017 3 hours ago, dwardmba said: Put it on a shelf as a collector item. Rather he should put it on my shelf. OP: I wouldn't go with new bearings. Shimano already put good ones in it. As suggested, send it to DVT for a good cleaning. Possibly an upgrade to a Carbontex drag. I have two Curado 51Es that Mike did for me. One deep clean only and the other with upgraded bearings and I believe a tune. Can't see much difference between the two. Quote
The Bassman Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 14 minutes ago, LowRange said: Are their lighter weight spool options for this platform? Maybe something from the JDM variant? A 90 mil handle and some newer looking knobs couldn't hurt either. Congrats on your find! Aftermarket spools for this reel are becoming very difficult to find. If it was mine I would keep it in the perfect state that it is. All that it probably needs is the spool bearings flushed of old factory grease and oiled. Carbontex drag washers would be a good idea also. The original drag material has probably degraded. Other than that enjoy a classic. Other reels are lighter and faster but this is a show piece. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 Deep clean/lube and Carbontex drag. Super Tune is just another $12. Not mandatory but you got that so cheap give it the works and you still got a steal. 1 Quote
Super User Raul Posted March 2, 2017 Super User Posted March 2, 2017 Forgot to add that a Carbontex drag pad replacement is what the Dr orders. 1 hour ago, LowRange said: Are their lighter weight spool options for this platform? Maybe something from the JDM variant? A 90 mil handle and some newer looking knobs couldn't hurt either. Yes there is a better spool option but I doubt you can find a SF Wiffle spool from either the Chronach SF or from a Castaic or from a Metanium Mg ( JDM ) since it's a reel that dates back to the 90's. Quote
The Bassman Posted March 3, 2017 Posted March 3, 2017 Pretty sure that reel isn't compatible with SF because of spool shaft bearing. Quote
nameiztaken Posted March 3, 2017 Author Posted March 3, 2017 20 hours ago, jdz197 said: I look on ebay and never find a deal that good. What's the secret? Salvation Army thrift store haha Quote
Super User Alpster Posted March 3, 2017 Super User Posted March 3, 2017 Send it to DVT for a good cleaning and lube. Fish with the rest of your life. 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 3, 2017 Super User Posted March 3, 2017 Not sure why anyone would replace brand new bearings with brand new bearings. My advice is to get it clean and lubed by a pro, like DVT, and while he's in there, add a Carbontex drag. That's a mod that will give you a lot return on investment than new bearings. 1 Quote
Spider Posted March 3, 2017 Posted March 3, 2017 18 minutes ago, J Francho said: Not sure why anyone would replace brand new bearings with brand new bearings. My advice is to get it clean and lubed by a pro, like DVT, and while he's in there, add a Carbontex drag. That's a mod that will give you a lot return on investment than new bearings. I was suggesting new bearings because, it is not a new reel, and I have no idea how long it has been sitting around. It was just a suggestion, he doesn't have to do it. But ceramic bearings add distance/smoothness to these reels. this thread is about upgrading the reel. /Shrugged 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 3, 2017 Super User Posted March 3, 2017 Flush the bearings, and free spool time will go WAYYYY up. 1 Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted March 3, 2017 Super User Posted March 3, 2017 I would fish it a few times before doing anything to it. If there are issues document them and sent it to a tech. 1 Quote
The Bassman Posted March 3, 2017 Posted March 3, 2017 3 hours ago, J Francho said: Flush the bearings, and free spool time will go WAYYYY up. My first quality baitcaster was a Curado 200B. I fished with it on and off for nearly 20 years. I thought i was an accomplished caster. Then I got into tinkering with reels and cleaned and oiled the spool bearings. The reel made a fool out of me. Don't get too hung up on things like free spool time. I mentioned earlier to clean and oil the bearings. The reel will slow down a bit after some use. Quote
nameiztaken Posted March 3, 2017 Author Posted March 3, 2017 57 minutes ago, kickerfish1 said: I would fish it a few times before doing anything to it. If there are issues document them and sent it to a tech. That's exactly what I'm doing So far, no problems other than sub-optimal casting (like 10 feet behind my Curado e7). I'm a bit new to upgrading parts/super tuning so that's why I'm asking 16 hours ago, The Bassman said: Pretty sure that reel isn't compatible with SF because of spool shaft bearing. Not sure if this actually has SF, But there is a sticker on the spool reading "Super Free"... Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 3, 2017 Super User Posted March 3, 2017 If your even slightly mechanically inclined, you can download the schematic, locate the spool bearings, and flush them without a full disassembly. Soak the bearings in Acetone, until it runs clean. Let them dry, and lube with a drop of fine oil. Replace and reassemble. If that seems beyond your reach, send it a pro - it'll cost you around $25, and the work should last you a whole season or more. Quote
The Bassman Posted March 3, 2017 Posted March 3, 2017 12 minutes ago, nameiztaken said: That's exactly what I'm doing So far, no problems other than sub-optimal casting (like 10 feet behind my Curado e7). I'm a bit new to upgrading parts/super tuning so that's why I'm asking Not sure if this actually has SF, But there is a sticker on the spool reading "Super Free"... Super Free on older reels was just referencing how well they free spooled. The actual Super Free label meant the presence of a pinion support bearing rather than just the frame opening that the pinion passed through. 1 Quote
nameiztaken Posted March 3, 2017 Author Posted March 3, 2017 4 minutes ago, J Francho said: If your even slightly mechanically inclined, you can download the schematic, locate the spool bearings, and flush them without a full disassembly. Soak the bearings in Acetone, until it runs clean. Let them dry, and lube with a drop of fine oil. Replace and reassemble. If that seems beyond your reach, send it a pro - it'll cost you around $25, and the work should last you a whole season or more. I am familiar with the insides of reels. I may buy some grease and oil since I ran out last season. Thinking about Reel Butter and Hot Sauce. Quote
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