In need of Vintage Bantam 100 Help ...

[John G]

My first baitcaster was a Shimano Bantam Mag Plus 250SG. My dad took me uptown to Big L Sports in Lakeland, Fl. to buy it. The rod that I chose for it was a 5'6" pistol grip Fenwick Eagle Graphite. I thought I was hot shiite with that outfit. IIRC, that was around 1982-83. Just out of curiosity, where did the Shimano BMP250SG rank on the Shimano Totem Pole back then?

[Cagey]

The SG refers to super gears.

[africanbass]

Great thread,brings back memories

[John G]

The book says: "After its introductory year, the BMP 250 was called a steelhead and salmon size reel that can be used as a bass reel with the V spool converter." So this reel was sold with both spools in the box.

I have rebuilt my 251 and other shimano's more times than I can count and I find it hard to believe that with as small of drag washers that are found inside the 250 and 251 that it could be a good reel for such large fish. The drag washers in my 2201's are nearly twice the size.

The book says in 1986 shimano released the Mag Plus 250XSG going back to the 4.7:1 retrieve and a graphite/titanium spool rather than the aluminum for the older versions.

So for me, this reel gets the lightweight duty of slow retrieve spinning lures on light line. And I find myself using the 2201's more than 90% of the time. But, definitely a very reliable reel.

Thanks for the info! Mine must have been a first year model because it only came with 1 spool. I still have the reel but it is not fishable IMHO because I never took care of it.

[Reel Old Geezer]

The date of manufacture/assembly should be stamped on the foot. It is in a 2 letter code.

[John G]

I'm digging up this old Thread because I recently bought a Bantam 100 off of eBay and it's out for delivery.
I'm hoping that it's in good shape internally. Good shape to me means smooth but not modern smooth but a connected feeling.

[John G]

The date of manufacture/assembly should be stamped on the foot. It is in a 2 letter code.

The code on the reel foot of my Bantam Mag Plus 250SG is HA. Any idea what year that is? I was born in 69 and I'm thinking my dad bought me this reel when I was 12 or 13 years old so that would be 81/82.

[Slazmo]

F

[John G]

I found a chart and my Bantam Mag Plus 250SG was made in January 1983.

[dragon1]

I found a chart and my Bantam Mag Plus 250SG was made in January 1983.

Schuuuweeet. I have a very clean fully rebuilt Bantam 10SG Mag with SS bearings, carbontex, and upgraded levelwind. Beautiful and fully functional collector's piece.

[Slazmo]

I found a chart and my Bantam Mag Plus 250SG was made in January 1983.

Do you have a link to said chart?

Edit: found the one for Shimano Cycling dates.

[John G]

I found a chart and my Bantam Mag Plus 250SG was made in January 1983.

Do you have a link to said chart?

Edit: found the one for Shimano Cycling dates.

When I click on the link, all it gives me is the date codes.
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Japan/ ... _codes.htm

[John G]

Here's my new baby. A little dirty but in extremely nice condition. To be honest, I couldn't be happier. Actually, the only way I would be happier is if it was brand new but other than that, it is extremely nice. Very smooth and very nice. A little TLC will go along way with this 42 year old Bantam 100. It came with the box and all of the paperwork and I'm thrilled that I did not have to pay an arm and leg for it.

[John G]

The shocker of the day other than it being in as nice condition as it is, is it is lighter by quite a bit than my original Shimano Bantam Mag Plus 250SG.

[John G]

Schuuuweeet. I have a very clean fully rebuilt Bantam 10SG Mag with SS bearings, carbontex, and upgraded levelwind. Beautiful and fully functional collector's piece.

Please post a pic. What did you do to upgrade the level wind?