Metaloid 5Ns - Angular contact bearing

[Gobi King]

where can one source the Solterra handles?

I am in love with the little Metaloids,  , nice and small and 2 speed, perfect for grandma and my feminine small fingers

[redsetta]

Hi Shibs, I just ordered it through Okuma NZ via the local fishing shop.
Wasn't cheap @ NZ$79, but my reels are pretty sorted these days, so there aren't a lot of other mods left to do...

Hey boon, might just do that - your idea though, so you'll be credited accordingly 
Cheers mate

[Ron Jones]

I'm looking hard at this reel. In all honesty, I think the way to go with the handle for price and comfort is one of the Boss' smaller grips on the factory blade.
Ron Jones

[redsetta]

So, after nearly six months scouring the globe, I finally located an upgrade left-side spool bearing for the 5N.
The part number is KP-696ZZ - Deep-groove roller bearing and it came from a Dutch/German specialist called Kramp (though was manufactured in Japan by FAG).
I went with high-quality, stainless steel 'deep-groove' in the end, rather than 'angular contact', as it has all the lateral-load benefits I was after, with none of the performance short-comings of the A/C option.
Here it is alongside the original bearing - you can clearly see the depth of the groove which supports the lateral load.



With an A/C bearing in the right side plate and a deep-groove in the left-side of the spool, the 5N now easily accommodates the 24lb claimed (and beyond), with perfect smoothness.
I have PE8 gear for 'tiger country' as boon puts it, so I'm not really looking to push this reel beyond the desired drag range for PE5.
But it's nice to have confidence in pushing this little brute a bit harder - it even still manages a minute of freespool too.
I'm actually really happy with this reel now.
Thanks again boon for starting it all.
Righto - all the best, Justin
PS If you're in NZ and looking for one, try Blair at TRS (Tractor Repairs and Spares) in Hastings - they're really helpful and highly recommended...

[boon]

Bumping this up for more silly Metaloid upgrades...

Okuma (full credit to them in this area!) seemingly use the exact same handle attachment method for just about everything lever drag, from the 5N models up to about a Makaira 80W.
They are now offering t-bar handles from the factory for several smaller models. I put their shiny new billet "power cranking handle" on a Makaira 15T so had a spare handle assembly from that which bolted straight up to my Metaloid.

Hunting through a few schematics, it looks like the ideal upgrade for smaller reels is the Alijos handle assembly. It's swept and slightly less heavy-duty than the Makaira arm. Part number is 15000603, or if you're like me and already have a non-riveted handle assembly you can go for just the arm on part number 15000601.

If you want a silver handle arm there should be some options from the Cavalla "T-Bar Specials" but I cannot find a schematic or part number for them.