Centaure Pacific Main Bearing- does it remove? French Rod match?

[Joel.B]

and has anybody safely replaced it?

I have a nice looking black Centaure, the main bearing is a bit grainy. Other than that it is a masterpiece of a reel. 

I plan on fishing it light surf. Perch, Striper rocky things. Would there be a period correct French rod to match it to?

[CincyDavid]

Sorry, I have never owned or even handles a Centaure...closest I have i a RuMer and I'm ashamed to admit I've never even had it apart. I am not a fan of vintage rods, I like the convenience of new materials and guides that aren't falling apart. I suppose someone could say that hanging an old reel on a new rod is like putting 20 inch wheels and low-profile tires on an old Fleetwood, but it works for me.

[Midway Tommy]

They're easy to get to, but the rotor is threaded on so you have to hold the pinion using the hole in it to unscrew the rotor after the nut is removed. Sometimes removing the bearing can be tough since they can be really tight in the bearing recess. Worst case scenario is it can be cleaned and relubed in place if need be.

[Midway Tommy]

I've always been able to pop them out from the back side with a little ingenuity and tool adaption creativity. A little penetrating oil and/or vinegar soak between the outer race & body usually helps break down any corrosion.

[Vintage Offshore Tackle]

Joel, here's the box that I mentioned in today's PM:

[Vintage Offshore Tackle]

Joel, here's a better shot of the California Service Centers list.  Unfortunately, I am pretty sure that every single one of them are long gone.

[Midway Tommy]

Even if one of the service centers is still operational the one crusty old service tech that knew anything about older spinning reels, especially Centaures, probably croaked a couple of decades ago.   

[Brewcrafter]

Seeing that list for CA those shops in Riverside and San Bernardino brought back some memories.  And LOOOOONG gone....-john

[foakes]

Post some photos of the bearing, along with all three measurements, Joel —- ID, OD, & thickness.  If it is a typical bearing, and not some weird French thingy —- we should be able to match up a bearing easy enough.

As for the dealers —- I can attest that the Fresno guys are long gone.

Maruko moved from their address to Belmont in the mid 60's.  They were one of the first Honda Motorcycle Dealers.  Bought my Honda 70CC Mini-Trail there in 1970.  The owner, Kenji Maruko, was the first Honda Dealer in Fresno.  He was a real gentleman who I had a lot of respect for as a kid.  Mr. Maruko passed on in 2014 at the age of 93.

Man, these names bring back a lot of good memories of days gone by.

Tommel's moved from their location listed to Blackstone Avenue —- closed up in '71.  What a great shop!  I can still recall the feel of the old plank wooden floors, cricket cages with lights, and he taught me to use #16 Allcock's fly hooks for salmon eggs.  Sold them to me by the boxes of 100, they were from the UK.  He taught me how to work on the Centaures with the "bull-horn" bails.

Show us a photo also of your reel.  I have a few Centaures laying around.  Good reels.

Best, Fred

[sandbar]

That's a beauty

[Paul Roberts]

Yes, that is a beauty.