501 Upgrades questions

[Padre]

I think my sweet bride has gotten me a 501 for my birthday coming up. I intend to fish it here with 30lb mono, and i've been combing through posts about which upgrades to do. I'll clean and grease everything obviously, but it seems the next recommended change is to the SS gear sleeve. If i change that, do i need to change to an SS dog as well? If i want to do that, how do i remove and replace the dog from the bridge? It looks like the most sensible thing to do would be to go to the SS bridge that includes double SS dogs, but i'd still like to know how to replace the dog on the existing bridge.

Beyond those changes, what else is really important? Handle replacement? I might do a tib frame eventually but not for now.

Thanks!

[Bryan Young]

At 30#, you would be fine with the reel just as is.

The only thing I would do is grease the drag washers with Cal's Universal and Drag Grease and add a grease an under gear Carbontex drag washer from SmoothDrag

[Keta]

 "If i change that, do i need to change to an SS dog as well?"

Not necessary but AR dogs are cheap.

"how do i remove and replace the dog from the bridge?"

It lifts right off of the post.

"what else is really important?"

Handle, drag upgrade, and Tib frame.

[Padre]

"how do i remove and replace the dog from the bridge?"

It lifts right off of the post.

Thanks! I couldn't tell if the post were peened over or something like that.

Thanks for the info, guys!

[Shark Hunter]

If you are talking about the sleeve. There is a small pin that holds it on the Bridge.

[Bryan Young]

Padre,

What do you really want to do because that reel fishes perfectly fine with 30# line with no upgrades.

It then becomes a matter of economics and want versus needs.  The sky is the limit with this little reel.

Bryan

[Dominick]

Beyond those changes, what else is really important?

Don't forget that you only think she bought you the reel, so what's really important is that you actually get the reel.  Dominick

[Padre]

C'est vrai, Dom. That is the all important piece.

If she didn't take the hint, I'll still be looking, but I have a pretty good feeling that she did. Should know by the weekend.

[Newell Nut]

Padre
This site can confuse folks a little. The 501 is just fine as is if you indeed get it. The fun begins when you want the 501 to have the strength of a 4/0 in a smaller package. Okay now get out the credit card and start shopping for upgrades. Want a 4/0 to beat a stock 6/0, no problem. Get out he credit card and start shopping. Relax and enjoy the reel with a few little tweaks that Bryan mentioned on the drag grease and think about all the options down the road for the rainy days when you are bored.

[Keta]

I've had to replace so many brass gearsleves that I feel that upgrade to SS is mandatory, even when using a Jigmaster for kokanee or bluegill 

[Bryan Young]

Here' s list if upgrades:

Accuplates Magnum - Jigmaster plates with mostly 113H guts
Accuplates - aluminum sideplates with Jigmaster guts
Alan Tani'Tani's stainless steel gear sleeve
Black Pearl stainless steel bridge with double dog system
Black Pearl Stainless steel gears or Newell stainless steel gears
Alan Tani's, Adam's or many others upgraded handle arms and handles.
My 5 stack drag kit.
Spool bearing  ( it's really bushings) to Newell's Delrin molded bushings
Accurate or Tiburon frame
Black Pearl Stainless yoke and eccentric

I think that's it.  Oh and screws...from Phillips to Allen or Torx

Good luck and expect to spend a whole lot of money with every upgrade...but the reel will have its "that's so cool" factor.

[Keta]

Double dogs and SS AR dog/dogs. 

[Bryan Young]

Thanks Lee.  I knew I forgot something.

[Keta]

They should come with the gear sleeve as a kit, 

[Padre]

So, IF she did, in fact, get it for me, I'll tear it down, clean it and grease everything. I'll check the condition of the gear sleeve and go from there. But if it's got one of those little football handles, that may have to go even if everything else is solid.