Homegrown parts for Ambassadeurs

[PacRat]

Are there any sources here in the US for stainless gears or one-piece frames? So far everything I'm seeing is coming from the UK.
Thanks
Mike

[Marcq]

Nice guy to deal with and don't hesitate to call him he likes it
http://hookless.com/

Marc..

[steelhead_killer]

I got a sweet one piece frame out of the UK, QTC is the frame.  5500 and 6500 sizes.  SS gears are hard to find anywhere. 

Andy

[PacRat]

Thanks guys. I'm doing some upgrades because I hooked a yellowtail (while targeting calico bass) with my 6500 and I was certain it was going to shred my gears. I landed the yellowtail with the deckhand yelling "murder that fish" in my ear and I was putting as much pressure on the fish as I dared. The gears and handle were my primary concerns. Later when I did maintenance on the reel I was amazed that there was no damage (or even visible wear) but also concerned about the minimal drag surfaces. My other 6500 has a 3 stack drag and I expected to find the same in this but it had very little fiction surface area. I don't intentionally target yellowtail with this reel but you never really know what will bite. I use my Ambassadeurs when I need real long casts with light jigs. I feel like if I'm going to upgrade the drag it would be prudent to also upgrade the gears and handle so that if this were to happen again I could relax and battle the fish without worrying about the reel blowing up in my hands. I have seen that Abu Garcia does make stainless gears. Does anyone know of a dealer that stocks these?
-Mike

[0119]

Does anyone know of a dealer that stocks these?

Out of production and out of stock. Just a game of chance finding one.

[PacRat]

Thanks for the heads-up. If I ever come across some stainless gears I'll jump on them.
-Mike

[cbar45]

I'm very happy with my 5501 Inshore Classic and its 5:1 stainless gears.

Ambassadeur Predator is the European counterpart with the same gearing.

The Inshore Classic is a great discontinued reel, if you can find it.

However, I have heard the gears need to be modified if you will be swapping them into a model other than the Classic.

Chad

[fishhawk]

for as little drag washer surface area these reels have theyre amazing! Would love to see more upgrades for these!
Mark

[nelz]

My other 6500 has a 3 stack drag and I expected to find the same in this but it had very little fiction surface area.

Does it have the single thin O disk plus one under the main gear?  That's what my 6500 has.

Btw, our host Alan has some very nice brand new stainless steel handles for $10, that are a great match to these reels. They are originally for Shimano Bantams, but fit my Ambassadeur 6500 perfectly.

[Lunker Larry]

My other 6500 has a 3 stack drag and I expected to find the same in this but it had very little fiction surface area.

Does it have the single thin O disk plus one under the main gear?  That's what my 6500 has.

Btw, our host Alan has some very nice brand new stainless steel handles for $10, that are a great match to these reels. They are originally for Shimano Bantams, but fit my Ambassadeur 6500 perfectly.
[/quote

Wouldn't have a picture of that handle would you?]

[RowdyW]

Go to the vendors section near the bottom of the main page & check Alan T's site.

[Lunker Larry]

Will do. Thanks