A burned up pinion gear is the death knell for the old Bantams.
If you want to save your pinion gear, roll back the spool slightly before hitting the (disengage) button. Akin to depressing a clutch pedal.
It's a two-handed move that you can adapt to.

Hitting the button while hanging weight takes a little chip off the pinion each time.
I burned up the pinion in my first Bantam in about 3 months due to "stupid thumb".
Been practicing safe pinion ever since.