ABU Cardinal 44X production date 770900

[Soulstar]

Hi! I am a Swedish Cardinal fan who just purchased a dark brown 44x from Ebay. I am a bit confused because I thought the "x" model ment it had a higher gear ratio? On my reel it says "HI SPEED 5:1 BALL BEARING"? It is the same as my other Cardinal 4:s from 1977. So I did some research on the internet and found other Cardinal 44x dark brown from 1977 that has a decal which said "EXPRESS SPEED 6:1 BALL BEARING"? Why are mine different? Is it the wrong decal on mine?

In my "Napp och Nytt" catalouge from 1977/78 there is no information of a dark brown 44x model. Do you guys have a "Tight Lines" catalouge describing the ratio? On my Cardinal 4x from 1981 it also says ""EXPRESS SPEED 6:1 BALL BEARING"........

There are also green 44x models, but I have not found any pictures of the spool house decals so far. Is there any Cardinal nerds/experts out there who can shed som light into this? What is my gear ratio? I bought it because it was an "Express" model which I thought meant higher gear ratio......?

Regards

Jörgen

[Soulstar]

As usual it is impossible to post any pictures for me, eventhough I have upload them? Hmmm.......help please!

[Midway Tommy D]

I am assuming this is the reel you purchased.

It is the last version of the 44X. Later versions had tan/champagne bodies and were simply 4 or 4X. If the example linked is your reel it looks to have been well cared for and little used. Some reels from that time frame had no stickers on the rotor. I have seen a few examples, though, of that 44X version with the 5:1 ratio sticker on the rotor. I imagine it was a mistake made by who ever originally put the reels together. It appears to me that your reel is most likely one of those.

The best way to verify your gear ratio is to position the the crank handle at the bottom, make note of the line roller location and turn the crank one complete revolution, counting the number of times the rotor/line roller rotate.

I have never seen a 6:1 replacement rotor decal so you may be stuck with the 5:1 sticker.

[kyreels]

Image Posting Instructions: viewtopic.php?t=15596

Here is the reel Tommy referred to:

[Soulstar]

Yes, that is the reel i purchased! Thanks for all the useful info. I will do the "test" once the reel arrives safely to Sweden It will be interesting to see if it is just a case of someone putting the wrong decal on the spoolhouse. Actuelly I might pull it off, as I think it looks better without the black stickers! Regards Jörgen

[Retropeche]

My 44 Xpress has 6:1 gear ratio with a horrendous wobble that took nearly an ounce of lead to fix.

[Midway Tommy D]

Off topic a little bit, but it looks like your bail is bent up/out and could use an alignment, Clive.

Here's how it should line up:

[Retropeche]

Thanks Tom. I will look into it.

[Retropeche]

I had a look at the 44 Xpress this afternoon. The bail position is show here





The lead I had to fit to balance the rotor is shown here



I started out using plasticine then when I had the position and weight sorted I weighed the plasticine and cut some lead sheet to the same weight. I understand that this reel was only made for a couple of years. The rotor wobble might have been the reason.

[Midway Tommy D]

The crank handle knob blocks a decent view of the bail where it appeared there was a bend. The bend isn't terrible but it should be adjusted properly for correct line lay.

[Retropeche]

This a better view.

[Midway Tommy D]

This a better view.

Yes, much better. The bend isn't real bad and is tolerable, I've seen much worse. If it were mine, though, I would adjust it and bring it down a little bit ahead of the cone. Be care if not to break the weld.

[Retropeche]

Thanks Tom.

I will leave it as it is. I haven't noticed a problem and the risk of breakage in my hands is too great to consider.

Good spot though.