Hey Bantam1 thanks for the response! Could the tension somehow be set incorrectly even if I've fully removed the knob and reinstalled it? Like could something somehow still be "set" in the knob perhaps? Some kind redditor suggested that maybe the spool bearing pin is slipping off the pinion which so...

I inspected the spool shaft and bearing pin and they looked fine, thats what led me to thinking its something with the pinion or something.

Hey guys, first post here. I was recommended to these forums by a friend. I recently purchased a 17 Calcutta Conquest BFS HG used off eBay. It arrived in fantastic looking condition, in the original bubble wrap, the oil bottles still in bags and unopened. Something must have happened during shipping...