Zombie 155 Beachmaster

mo65 · August 24, 2016, 05:49:12 PM

If a fishing reel starred in AMC's "The Walking Dead" this is surely how it would look. I wanted to get a 155...like I had as a teen...so I bought this heap. It was cheap, and I liked the spool and handle knob. I scored some nice posts, rings, and a stand cheap too. The replacement parts are period correct...no numbers. All costs including shipping and I'm still under $30, not too shabby for a mid-late 40s 155.

Wow, what a mess! I love doing restorations though...it's most of the fun of collecting! This one won't be mint, just a nice clean vintage reel.

If you've ever ridden motorcycles, you know what a "basket case" is. This thing was a major basket case. The internals were as bad as the outside parts, but a vinegar soak and some lube did wonders, it actually ended up being very smooth.

Holy Buckets!!

Is this the same reel?

This photo shows the nice no-number stand...just like the original...but easier on the eyes.

I just love these picture tail plates. The 155 was my first Penn, so this reel feels like an old friend.

sdlehr · August 24, 2016, 05:55:41 PM

Well done, Mo. Funny how these things take on a personality.

Sid

Tightlines667 · August 24, 2016, 07:11:28 PM

Nice work there.

This is why we love them old Penns.

coastal_dan · August 25, 2016, 12:00:02 PM

Turned out fantastic! Great job...I agree, the feeling of giving these reels new lives is splendid.

mo65 · August 25, 2016, 01:57:20 PM

Thanks guys!

mo65 · August 25, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Reel 224 on August 25, 2016, 02:15:58 PM
Mo; did you utilize the old rings?

No, rings, posts, and stand are replacements. All other parts cleaned up nicely...but these rings are horrible!

theswimmer · August 25, 2016, 02:35:19 PM

Really nice work Moe. Really nice.

mizmo67 · August 25, 2016, 06:10:05 PM

Wow, that cleaned up purdy, Mike!

redsetta · August 25, 2016, 10:31:15 PM

Great work Mo!
Cheers, Justin

basto · August 25, 2016, 10:41:43 PM

That`s a beautiful Penn. Love that spool. It really makes that reel special for me. Great job!
Basto

sdlehr · August 25, 2016, 10:57:43 PM

Quote from: mo65 on August 25, 2016, 02:25:23 PM
Quote from: Reel 224 on August 25, 2016, 02:15:58 PM
Mo; did you utilize the old rings?

No, rings, posts, and stand are replacements. All other parts cleaned up nicely...but these rings are horrible!

You were able to order a stand with no number? Or you had that hanging around?

sdlehr · August 25, 2016, 10:59:49 PM

Quote from: Reel 224 on August 25, 2016, 06:43:44 PM
Quote from: mizmo67 on August 25, 2016, 06:10:05 PM
Wow, that cleaned up purdy, Mike!

Yes Mo, and thank you for straightness me out on with side goes where on the 65 Long Beach

Joe

Yeah, Joe, you can't easily tell by looking at the reel but those posts in the front are not the same distance from the foot as the posts in the back... been there, done that

Sid

mo65 · August 25, 2016, 11:59:18 PM

Quote from: sdlehr on August 25, 2016, 10:57:43 PM
You were able to order a stand with no number? Or you had that hanging around?

The stand, posts, and rings were bought on fleabay. I had even noticed the stand was not numbered from the pics. The new parts aren't perfect...but their character matches the other reel components very well. The greatest thing about this project was making the transformation myself rather than just buying a sweet 155. AND...total cost was under $30!

Thanks everyone for the compliments!