New to me reel

[mahfudzmn]

That's a nice reel, good value on the drag too. Speaking of measuring drag in general, I'd start sweating if I'm measuring anything more than 12kg (26LB), anytime I have to do so I'll say a prayer first, possibly because I'm using a spring scale, if the line snaps which happens once in a while it's gonna come snapping at your hand...the max I've measured is around 19kg it's pretty scary

On the seized bearing, yea typically you'd expect frozen bearings to have heaps of rust on them but I've met more than a handful that appears as you said 'brand new' and yup definitely frozen solid...for some reason the pinion bearing is the favorite for saltwater to settle in...It happens to a lot of Accurate BV300 and BV series too.

[Donnyboat]

That reel looks great Mike, glad you got it going proper, should last you for many years, catch heaps of fish, good luck, cheers Don.