has anyone tried the following upgrades on a Shimano Calcutta 200/201/250/251?

Drag washers upgraded to Xtreme Smoothies - Xtreme Smoothies website

Upgrading a Calcutta to 6.2:1 gear ratio(Shimano says it will void your warranty):
BNT1325 – Drive Gear for Curado/Chronarch
BNT1330 – Pinion Gear for Curado/Chronarch

Bearing upgrades:
ABEC5kit – Bearing upgrade kit (from Shimano)
SMR103-ZZ #5 ABEC5 from Boca Bearings [url=Http://www.bocabearings.com]Boca Bearings home page[/url]
SMR103C-ZZ #5 Ceramic ABEC5 from Boca Bearings [url=Http://www.bocabearings.com]Boca Bearings home page[/url]
Or any bearings from: [url=Http://www.qbcbearings.com]www.qbcbearings.com[/url]


I would like to know if anyone has had any luck with these upgrades, or know others not listed (i.e. ABEC7 bearings, etc.). The ceramic bearings are supposed to have a lower start-up inertia allowing you to cast lighter weight and farther... Shimano warns if upgrading the gear ratio of the Calcutta using the Curado drive/pinion gears you will experience excessive wear on the yoke, causing premature failure.

I have been considering the bearing upgrade for pitching lighter weights and the gear ratio for faster retrieves. The factory drag washers have been good to me.

I would appreciate any questions/comments.

With all those experimenters out there you would think someone has investigated/tried some of these ideas. I did find a source for the ABEC7 bearings (if anyone is interested).

I thought someone recently was looking for drag washers. Did you find some? Stock or upgrade?

I've had pretty good luck with the washers overall ... change them from time to time in the steelie reels and then make my own washers for my salmon reels.

I'd be interested in hearing any feedback on the bearing systems ... I know that I would like the 6.2 retrieve on the Calcutta, it's one of the reasons I fish a Chronarch Mg now.

i bought a left hand calais from japan with 6.2 ratio. i think you can get a 6.5 calcutta from japan. i know they are not available here.