BPS baitcast reel replacement handles

[The Rooster]

Has anyone ordered any of these??  I would like to know if they can have bearings installed into them (I know they won't come with them, just bushings probably), also maybe even if the knobs on a BPS reel will fit back onto them as opposed to the ones they come with instead.  I think it would be a good way to make my BPS Extreme reels look "updated" with the ported handle shanks.  It's not necessary, but just something to play around with.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Casting-Reel-Standard-Replacement-Handles/product/96597/-1382214

[B-Dozer]

One of the reviews says it does NOT fit the extremes. Might be able to modify it. Reviewer said hole was too small. Think it was the last reviewer.

[central.PA.bass]

I just called last week and ordered one for my older extreme.. the lady i talked to at the reel repair service had one of the guys check and he said that the straight handles fit onto the older reels.  The swept ones to not fit on the Extremes, however.

just a heads up

[The Rooster]

I didn't know they sold the swept ones.  I'm looking at the straight ones for my Extremes, and they all have straight handles originally too.  Mine are the 2008 and earlier models.  I think 2009 is the first year for swept handles on those reels.

[mikeeasttn]

I ordered one for my Amb 5500.  Went on without any changes to handle or reel.

[CFFF 1.5]

Any reason you wouldn't just order the true replacement for the reel you need parts for. I had to order a replacement handle for a BPS Nitro and I think it cost a around $11.

[The Rooster]

They don't need replacements.  The stock handles are fine now and have actually been upgraded a little bit with 2 bearings in each paddle instead of only 1 and a bushing like from the factory.  I'm just playing around with them, thinking they would look sharp with the ported handle shanks, not to mention I could get them in longer versions for deep cranking.  But I like how free the bearings in them now make them feel and wondered if I could do the same thing to the new XPS handles.

[21farms]

rooster, i've installed a half-dozen of the longer version of these on my round ABUs. you're right, the knobs have bushings but, lemme tell ya, they are the smoothest non-ball bearing knobs i've ever experienced...they spin very, very freely and smoothly. i really don't think you'd need to bother adding bb's here.

[The Rooster]

That's good to know.  Thank you.

I mainly wondered if the same bearings I already have on the stock handles would fit on there in place of the bushings.  And if they would, then I wonder if the same knobs would fit also.  That way it won't change the looks of the reel too much, it would look like a "special issue" version of the reel with the ported handle shank and the same everything else otherwise. 

I'm sure now that I know it does have bushings that I could order a bearing to fit it if I wanted it and if nothing else just use the rubber knobs that come with the handle. 

I know it would be wasting some money, but not that much, I still couldn't buy a new reel for what I would spend.  I'd just be doing it mostly for fun, all except for the extended handle for the cranking reel part.  That would actually be a functional upgrade.  I'd just do the others to keep them matching. 

Besides, wasting money on useless fishing stuff is what 1/2 of this sport is apparently about.  No one needs reels or rods that cost nearly as much as some of the stuff available does.