Hi Norm,

Yea, there is no turning back now. About to get a complete set of new bearings and might even look at getting a new 8 blade reel or one that has thicker blades to stop them from bending when hitting debris. The sprockets are all original, just wanted to get some perspective from users here as to their condition and whether or not they need replacing. There is no welding yet, the blackness is from burnt paint; where the chassis was heated to bend back a dent in the rail.
I did manage to remove the bearings at either end of the reel using an old 3 jaw bearing puller I had in my possession.

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