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[Tex]

Hey,

I have an Abu 6500C at home that I'm planning on taking apart tonight to clean, lube, and put back together.  It feels like it has some grit in it when I reel, and could probably use a tune-up regardless. 

Does anyone have a walk through on this for me?  I did a few searches and couldn't find anything amid the mass of "take it to Mike's Reel Repair", which is all well and fine, but I'd like to try this myself (1. to learn something, and 2. because it won't take me weeks/months to get it back).

Thanks folks!

Tex

[wolverine]

 Go here:

 http://www.reelschematic.com/Abu%20Garcia/AbuGarciaList.html

They have the blow ups of most every reel ever made.

[Tex]

Very useful, wolverine - thanks!

That said, I'm hoping there might be something more out there, that will provide a walkthrough of things that the schematic can't show... ie. "Careful when you take this piece off, the spring underneath likes to pop out quickly" or something like that.

Also would be nice to know what to make sure I lube, and what should stay dry.

Thanks!

Tex

[milo]

My advice is that unless you are mechanically minded, DO NOT disassemble the bloody thing.
I tried, and ended up not being able to put it back together.
Thank goodness for my buddy Tadpole.

I strongly suggest you sit down with someone who is an old hand at it the first, second, and third time. Otherwise, you will end up taking your reel to Mike's in a plastic bag filled with loose parts.

I tried a couple of times to watch Tad in order to get the hang of it, but I still end up needing his help.

IMO, Abu Ambassadeurs are quite complicated inside. (some mechanically minded individuals will of course beg to differ).

[Sam Salmon]

There's a guy named Alan Tani-a regular guy a pharmacist by trade who's done a series of Reel Tutorials that are posted in many places across the net

http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/fishing-reel-tutorials/

This particular one is about hot rodding an Abu-not quite what you're looking for but it'll help.

http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/other/30817-hotrodding-ambassaduer-5-6-series-reels.html

BTW-The Abu 6500 is the simplest reel I've ever worked on-dead easy and if you do screw up Mikes Reel Repair can walk you through putting it back in order give 'em a call.

[Sam Salmon]

Also a great thread here with some very commonsensical advice about reassembling the thing from a number of different guys including Tani.

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=791712

EDIT-I use lighter fluid I buy @ Shoppers Drug Mart to dissolve old grease and lube the units with Super Lube I bought @ Berry's.

Oil


Grease

[coyote spooner]

Save yourself the headaches and take it to Mike's Reel repair.  One lost spring and you're going anyways.

[FlyFishin Magician]

I did this a few years back to my 6500 C3 and couldn't get it back together again.  Lucky for me, I met a guy from the "other" forum who showed me how to put it back together again.  Now - I can completely disassemble, clean, lube and grease C3's.  I wouldn't be able to do this without help!   

[Terry D]

Although based on beach casting in the UK, this chap is an expert at tuning reels for distance casting: http://neilmackellow.sea-angler.org/reel_tuning.html

[wolverine]

 Get a good schematic to follow and a couple of those foam egg cartons. Number each compartment in the cartons. As you take the first part off put it in compartment #1, part 2 in #2, etc, etc, etc. When you go to put it back together just start with the last part and work in reverse order. Also put a large white or light solid colored towel down on your work surface. If a part flies off or you drop one the towel usually catches the part. A cold barley pop or 2 usually makes the job go easier. However 4+ makes it a lot harder!

[chummer]

Changing drag discs to good quality carbon did the best performance upgrade for my old 6501.
Costs only about $10.
Smooth drag means less fish lost and good feeling to play.

[clarki]

If you don't want to drive out to Mike's in Abby, Russ Goodwin at Stryker Rod and Reel (who is an advertiser on this site) will take care of you. Dead nice guy, home based business and reasonable rates. Just a few minutes off the freeway in north Surrey. However I admire your tenacity Tex to do it yourself...   

[fishfinder]

You can try this site.

http://www.westernangler.com.au/forum/Ambassadeur_5_and_6_series_rebuild/m_102326/tm.htm

It's not hard to do this yourself. Just don't misplace any of the parts!!  Good luck.

[adriaticum]

Hey,

I have an Abu 6500C at home that I'm planning on taking apart tonight to clean, lube, and put back together.  It feels like it has some grit in it when I reel, and could probably use a tune-up regardless. 

Does anyone have a walk through on this for me?  I did a few searches and couldn't find anything amid the mass of "take it to Mike's Reel Repair", which is all well and fine, but I'd like to try this myself (1. to learn something, and 2. because it won't take me weeks/months to get it back).

Thanks folks!

Tex

Abu Garcia does not have schematics for their reels on their web sites which is strange, I guess they still haven't figured out this Internet age, but every reel comes with a breakdown of all the nuts and bolts.
If you can get your hands on that, you're in business.