The new tatula is a very popular reel right now and I thought I'd show you how to upgrade the bearings. For those who aren't familiar with tearing down a reel,this video is for you.

Mods if this is in the wrong place or

it breaks any kind of rule please let me know.

I'm not affiliated with boca bearing company in any way. I just like their products.

I've upgraded all of mine as well. Have three with Abec7s and one with Abec5s. Added knob bearings to them as well. They're fantastic reels out of the box, but for $20-$25, a set of bearings sure makes them even that much better. Great tutorial video, should be very helpful.

Yeah I added 1 more to each knob and 2 to the worm drive along with the 3 boca os for the spool.

Rippin-lips - Seen another video of a guy who replaced the plastic bushings on the level wind with bearings. Do you think that would actually make a difference.

Yeah I did that and the knobs right away. The daiwa zillion has a bushing also. At $300 I don't see why they can't use a 20 cent bearing on it. Anyhow they say it makes the reel smoother on the retrieve when under load. As for being able to tell by just playing around. Well I can't but I know a bearing will outlast a piece of plastic and that's why I did it. Plus for $5 I got all 4 bearings. So why not replace the plastic parts while I had it apart.

Nice vid! I upgraded the spool bearings on mine a couple weeks ago but havent done the knobs or the worm drive yet.

Yeah I did that and the knobs right away. The daiwa zillion has a bushing also. At $300 I don't see why they can't use a 20 cent bearing on it. Anyhow they say it makes the reel smoother on the retrieve when under load. As for being able to tell by just playing around. Well I can't but I know a bearing will outlast a piece of plastic and that's why I did it. Plus for $5 I got all 4 bearings. So why not replace the plastic parts while I had it apart.

wait there's no bearings in the knobs?? That's dam near standard nowadays lol. Any chance you could dm me the bearing sizes or part numbers and/or link. Would be much appreciated!. I'm gonna do it to mine. Prob skip on boca bearings for the spool at this time. Gonna try the bocas out in my citica/spinnerbait set up first to see if I can deal with the sound.

aren't ABECs normally only useful if you throw heavier lures or lighter lures?  

wait there's no bearings in the knobs?? That's dam near standard nowadays lol. Any chance you could dm me the bearing sizes or part numbers and/or link. Would be much appreciated!. I'm gonna do it to mine. Prob skip on boca bearings for the spool at this time. Gonna try the bocas out in my citica/spinnerbait set up first to see if I can deal with the sound.

There is 1 bearing and 1 plastic bushing in each knob. So you can replace the bushing with a bearing. Also the worm gear has 2 plastic bushings supporting it. You need a total of 4 bearings that are 4x7x2.5 I picked mine up online for $5.40 shipped

aren't ABECs normally only useful if you throw heavier lures or lighter lures?

It makes casting the same distance as before take less effort. Also makes pitching easier with the faster start up of the spool. That can also be said for lighter baits too.

There is 1 bearing and 1 plastic bushing in each knob. So you can replace the bushing with a bearing. Also the worm gear has 2 plastic bushings supporting it. You need a total of 4 bearings that are 4x7x2.5 I picked mine up online for $5.40 shipped

Thanks bro!

I've upgraded all of mine as well. Have three with Abec7s and one with Abec5s. Added knob bearings to them as well. They're fantastic reels out of the box, but for $20-$25, a set of bearings sure makes them even that much better. Great tutorial video, should be very helpful.

 

I've never upgraded bearings before, but thinking about trying on my Tatula. Where do I find a $20 set that performs? Thanks!

 

 

ripplin_lips, nice video! You are skilled.

I've never upgraded bearings before, but thinking about trying on my Tatula. Where do I find a $20 set that performs? Thanks!

ripplin_lips, nice video! You are skilled.

Contact DVT as he offers 10% off for BR members. The boca os abec 7'a normally run about $25. They also offer an abec 5 which would be nice too. I would flush and lube your stock bearings first. It makes a huge improvement. The upgraded bearings for me is just more of a tinkering thing. Also thank you for the kind words.

Contact DVT as he offers 10% off for BR members. The boca os abec 7'a normally run about $25. They also offer an abec 5 which would be nice too. I would flush and lube your stock bearings first. It makes a huge improvement. The upgraded bearings for me is just more of a tinkering thing. Also thank you for the kind words.

 

Thanks, will contact them. My Tatula's been flushed and oiled already before I even spooled it with line. I am just curious about those upgraded bearings that people talk about.

Thanks, will contact them. My Tatula's been flushed and oiled already before I even spooled it with line. I am just curious about those upgraded bearings that people talk about.

It makes casting the same distance a bit easier. It improves pitching a bait. The better bearings allow for quicker startup on the pitch. Unless you have superb thumb control you aren't going to be floored by the results.

What is the correct way to flush bearings?

I've noticed that pitching is already pretty good with Tatula. With upgraded bearing, this might become my pitching machine. I'll do it scientifically. Record the distance of say 20 pitches before and after to see if I can spy obvious difference there.

What is the correct way to flush bearings?

There's a few ways to do it. Soak in acetone,soak in hot water and degreaser like simple green,brake cleaner from a parts store.

I use brake cleaner because I always have it around the garage and it just works very well for me.

Yeah I added 1 more to each knob and 2 to the worm drive along with the 3 boca os for the spool.

 

 

3 os7's for the spool???

3 os7's for the spool???

There's technically 3 bearings along the spool shaft. 1 in the non-handle sideplate, one under the cast control knob, and another on the pinion.

There is 1 bearing and 1 plastic bushing in each knob. So you can replace the bushing with a bearing. Also the worm gear has 2 plastic bushings supporting it. You need a total of 4 bearings that are 4x7x2.5 I picked mine up online for $5.40 shipped

placing order tonight... What kind of bearings did you do, regular stainless, abec 5's, 7's?

placing order tonight... What kind of bearings did you do, regular stainless, abec 5's, 7's?

I just went with the cheapest I could find. They were from a place that's sells bearings for rc cars. I paid less the $6 for the 4 bearings.

3 os7's for the spool???

Yeah 3 in total.

I just went with the cheapest I could find. They were from a place that's sells bearings for rc cars. I paid less the $6 for the 4 bearings.

I'm gonna replace the existing ones with what I replace the bushings with in handles so they match. Then the worm gear ones the same. So 6 each real plus ordering more for my curados

Does the cast control one need to be os7 or can it be say abec5SS and the other two os7

What Im getting at are all 3 in contact during cast or just the side and pinion?

The one under the cast control spins when the spool is spinning, not sure about the pinion. I think the bearing in the pinion only comes in contact when the reel is under load.