I have this old CU200 e5 that I don't use much so I decided to swap the aluminum star drag to the CU 50e.

Parts to include in swapping drag star:

1. Star Drag - (CU 200e has the aluminum and the CU 50e has the graphite material)

2, Star drag nut

3. Spring

4. Clutch Bearing Insert.

From this :

To this:

The donor:

What was the point of that?

What was the point of that?

I guess you will never know..

Is it just for looks, or does it improve the drag? You have me very curious.

it's an improvement of quality on parts.

Shimano sometime makes some wierd combination on parts. Another good example is the handle for Curado 200e and CORE 100Mg, The CU 200e has bearing in each handle knob while the CORE 100Mg has plastic bushings. That's actually one of the parts that I've swapped between CU200 E and Core 100MG. Another sample is the handle from Caenan and the New Curado G, the Caenan has bearing on each handle knob while the new CU 200 G has plastic bushing.

Nice, subtle upgrade. Did you put a Carbontex washer in that baby too?

The handle bearing thing is a real head scratcher. All I can figure is they want certain reels to have a certain bearing count. I like bearings in my handles, here's my Calcutta on my small swimbait rig.

Nice move on your part baluga! I wish Shimano had done the same with the 50E. In fact, the plastic drag star is my only complaint with my 50E.

well if you're gonna do that, then why don't you do yourself a favor and swap that awesome 200e handle too. especially if you don't use the e5 that much. the 50 e handle on the e5 will give it the effect of even being a faster reel due to the shortened handle length. it won't actual be faster but the circumference on the actual swing of the handle will be less. I might even try this out my self.

Nice, subtle upgrade. Did you put a Carbontex washer in that baby too?

The handle bearing thing is a real head scratcher. All I can figure is they want certain reels to have a certain bearing count. I like bearings in my handles, here's my Calcutta on my small swimbait rig.

Thanks J. Yes I did replace the drags with Carbontex. I also like bearing on the handle knob, I like what you did with your Calcutta. I also replace mine a using a Caenan handle. I got the caenan for $30.00, I cannibalize it for bearings, Handle and the metal cast control cap. Here's the Caenan handle w/ bearings on the CT 50 XT. BTW, the Caenan has a spool shaft bearing, same size as the CT 50 XT spool shaft bearing , another spare bearing for the CT.

well if you're gonna do that, then why don't you do yourself a favor and swap that awesome 200e handle too. especially if you don't use the e5 that much. the 50 e handle on the e5 will give it the effect of even being a faster reel due to the shortened handle length. it won't actual be faster but the circumference on the actual swing of the handle will be less. I might even try this out my self.

That's the first thing I did, swap the handle of CORE 100Mg with CU 200e. Now the core sports the a handle w/ bearings.

You should talk to shfishinsticks about some nifty knobs for that Calcutta....he can turn that foam into cork.

You should talk to shfishinsticks about some nifty knobs for that Calcutta....he can turn that foam into cork.

I can do the same. I've been a wood turner for years and have been turning the vast majority of my reel handles and grips from burl cork for a few years now. I think I even have a set of Calcutta grips done for a 150 that I sold and kept the grips.

"4. Clutch Bearing Insert."

Is this the roller clutch inner tube? I wanted to do this swap for a while as well.

"4. Clutch Bearing Insert."

Is this the roller clutch inner tube? I wanted to do this swap for a while as well.

Yes, that's the inner tube..