Would anyone know where you would be able to get parts for a Centaure Pacific spinning reel that seems obsolete. I have two of them that are in perfect condition except the bail in broken in the exact same spot. I've looked at various garage sales and even on ebay but have been unsuccessful in getting any results. Thanks for all your help!
Damian
Is that the old Centaure Pacific with the half bail that looks like a sharpened bull's horn?
If so, you might get lucky with someone who has a stash of parts.
Otherwise, a couple of Centaures could be bought on someplace like ebay -- then you could use the bails -- and have the rest of the reels for future parts needs. If you are going to keep and use the reels -- you will need to stockpile some parts before they become really hard to obtain.
The only problem I could see with buying some parts from Europe would be that you would likely pay as much for a couple of bails, as you could get a couple of complete reels for.
Other possibilities would be some of the European collectors -- France, Denmark, UK, etc. The only problem would be shipping if you are in the US?
The man who taught me how to fish only used a Centaure -- and even 40 years ago, his tackle repair guy had to keep a couple of Centaures in stock to just keep his reels ready and serviced each year.
That is a pretty high quality, solid old reel -- imagine finding a 60 year old open face spinning reel with a skirted spool -- ahead of its time.
I only have one, that I intend to keep for sentimental reasons.
Good luck -- with Alan's website worldwide reach -- you may just find exactly what you need.
Best,
Fred
The reel you describe foakes is the exactly what I have. It has the skirted spool and half bail like the bulls horn. The reel itself is metallic green in color. That reel was actually very popular in Hawaii in the pre 50s & 60s.
probably not very useful, but you may find this interesting.
in their early years, Olympic made an excellent knock-off. I think, back then, Ueno Seiko was the Company name, Olympic was the reel Product Line, & Model 83 was specifically the Centaure copy:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1960s-NIB-Japan-OLYMPIC-MODEL-83-Mitchell-Copy-/170677623402?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27bd2dda6a&nma=true&si=MfFNNJeIt%252BgenFXhamqrWeff%252FQg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
...if that's not virtually identical to your reel, then maybe it was Model 84.
These early clones (82,83,84,85) are so rare, that the prices for mint-or-better are much higher then for French originals (81 was a 300-copy & somewhat more common). I made a nice chunk of change, selling 81, 82, 83 back to Japan. Unlike the French originals, though, there is much less interest in well-used reels & something like a bail may be compatible.
OMG, I have one of those in at home in Hawaii. I should get it and clean it up.
Sorry, I don't know of any parts. You may want to eliminate that bull horn so it would look similar to this
(http://www.pennreels.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_penn/z_series_spinning_bls.png)
There are a few other high end reels that chose this route as well...and I just cannot seem to remember them.
I have boxes full of those reels. If you could send me a picture or post a picture of what you need I'm sure I have it.
Handi2
I'll send you a photo in a few days
Thanks
is welding a possibility?
My dad has a couple of those green Centaure Pacific spinners. I don't know how old they are but I am 50 years old and I think he bought them before I was born! That was the only reel he used for a long time with a Silaflex rod. I remember him coming home from an overnight fishing trip with the 48 qt cooler full of red fish (Mempachi and Aweoweo) and even one or two Omilu (Blue fin trevally). He retired those reels when the Penn SS spinfishers came out. Maybe your best bet for spare parts, if you cannot find someone with the parts you need, is to buy a reel on ebay for parts. I bought a couple of brown ones on ebay for $30 to $40 last year. The green ones were priced a lot higher.
Steve, I think your dad is my uncle. ;D
My step-father used to do the same kind of fishing with his. He had a surf rod with a wooden butt that I converted to an aluminum butt . That reel must be at least 70 years old now. My handle is gone though, and that is the way we used to fish it for probably 10 years before I retired it and got into conventional reels.
Siloflex rods, those were my grandfathers favorite. He had a 13ft surf spinner that we called Long Tom. That man could throw that rig across Oceanside harbor from the bait dock to the police station! (or so I thought back then.)
Ron
That part is made of a soft aluminum. I do not think it can be welded.
Here is the photo I promised, if anyone has parts let me know the bail is broken on mine
Good idea to have spare parts for such a nice reel. I would grab this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CENTAURE-PACIFIC-VINTAGE-FISHING-REEL-1-2-BAIL-SER-723275-MADE-IN-FRANCE-1-/310881064279?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4861f49557
Maybe he'll let you have it for $70 shipped :-\
I'll check it out..Mahalo!
Here is a good one for parts
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Centaure-Pacific-Fishing-Reel-For-Parts-Repairs-I-have-listed-a-bunch-NR-/231182966400?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35d3941e80
It was sold when I looked.
HI Fred,
How does one remove the rotor from the reel? I removed the rotor nut and I'm not sure if the rotor unscrews from the main gear or it is keyed in some way. The grease is like molasses, thick and sticky.
Thanks for your help.
Bryan
Good morning, Bryan --
After removing the rotor hex nut -- the rotor unscrews in the same direction.
If stuck, drip some penetrating oil down along side the threads -- might need to either jamb the pinion with a piece of wood like an ice cream stick -- or secure the threaded portion above the rotor with tape covered channel locks to do the initial break-free.
These are from the early 50's, French (code word for good luck finding parts on a reel approaching 70 years old, without a donor reel for parts).
Be careful of the bearing -- it is an odd size and very difficult to replace without a machine shop shimming job to take up slack -- because our modern bearings are different.
When I worked on these for my fishing mentors, Elmo & Jack -- always had a couple of spares around for parts.
I still have 2 or 3 of the Centaures, and one of the River Centaures that actually had a full bail.
You won't have any issues because you know what you are doing -- but if you have questions -- either Keith or I have had a little experience with these.
Best,
Fred
Thank you Fred, That is what I had though. Here we go...
Unfortunately, the bearings are toast. I'll see what I can do.
Thank you again Fred.
My Ultrasonic clearer is on the fritz. It may be a day or week before I get it fixed. In taking it apart, I noticed that I don't have a separate heater...it's hot or nothing.
Bryan --
You can buy a new SS high wattage ultrasonic cleaner on ebay for vetween $100 to $200.
I have an old L&R without heat -- that has never let me down in 20 years.
But when it goes, instead of fixing it -- I'll just get one of those newer ones.
Keith sez they operate very well.
The key to US cleaners, IMO, is enough solid state electronics to generate the sonic vibrations to clean your parts capably the first time, SS tank, and using smaller containers for varying types of cleaners -- then just dropping them into the reservoir so as to not waste expensive cleaning fluids -- and less clean up of the equipment.
All that goes in the reservoir is water -- all cleaners are in separate jars. Quick, easy, less maintenance.
Best,
Fred
Quote from: foakes on September 14, 2017, 05:41:01 PM
Bryan --
You can buy a new SS high wattage ultrasonic cleaner on ebay for vetween $100 to $200.
I have an old L&R without heat -- that has never let me down in 20 years.
But when it goes, instead of fixing it -- I'll just get one of those newer ones.
Keith sez they operate very well.
The key to US cleaners, IMO, is enough solid state electronics to generate the sonic vibrations to clean your parts capably the first time, SS tank, and using smaller containers for varying types of cleaners -- then just dropping them into the reservoir so as to not waste expensive cleaning fluids -- and less clean up of the equipment.
All that goes in the reservoir is water -- all cleaners are in separate jars. Quick, easy, less maintenance.
Best,
Fred
I saw pictures of your set up and it's very swift. I do that with my small parts.
Unfortunately, many times, the frame and side plates goes in for a swim as well as they are usually filled with sand and grease. I'm just that lucky. But it is rewarding to know that the reel is clean and no longer grinding due to the sand.
I'll have to look at another ultrasonic cleaner. I sure hope they are UL Listed. I will not buy one without it. But hey, I'm an electrical safety engineer...It's what I look for.
I just put the plates, spool, rings and frame in a zip lock with SG, or a larger wide mouth container.
Works just fine.
Best,
Fred
Quote from: foakes on September 14, 2017, 09:39:55 PM
I just put the plates, spool, rings and frame in a zip lock with SG, or a larger wide mouth container.
Works just fine.
Best,
Fred
Fred, you are a genius. I would not have thought about zip lock bags.
This will help separate parts too...brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and the ??? What is this made of parts.
Those old French spinning reels are something. Been trying to run down a Bretton 804 with the hammered-look green paint, but with some trepidation, as I fear parts would be tough to find. They had a tie to Zangi, and Ocean City and Martin Mohawk supposedly did some distributing for them in US starting in the 50s.
The French were good for doing things differently than anyone else. Think, especially, French cars and bicycles from the '60s-'80s.
Frank