Shakespeare Sea Wonder 2090

[ourford]

So I bought a box of very neglected spinners at a yard sale. One of them was a Sea Wonder 2090. I'm impressed how well it cleaned up. From barely turning to smooth and fully operational. I ran into something I haven't seen before. The pinion bearing is sealed on the front but the back is open and has a nylon washer and an o ring. Did they come this way, or did someone modify it? The bearing cleaned up very well and works like new.

[Midway Tommy]

It's been modified. Someone removed the shield on one side, cleaned and regreased it, added a plastic/teflon washer to cover the open side and added an O ring to help seal and hold the washer in place (maybe for saltwater protection). You don't really need that if you're going to use it solely in freshwater. I generally remove one shield to clean and grease them and when I reinstall the bearing I put the unshielded side towards the inside of the body. That helps prevents some of the dirt, sand and water from getting into the bearing race. 

[ourford]

Thanks Midway. I didn't think it was original.

[happyhooker]

That reel is a beauty, and you made a super yard sale find.  One of the very best IMHO of the old-time spinning reels for heavy fish usage.  I tip my hat to you for resurrecting it from what might have become a lamentable death.  Earlier relative to the later "Royal Maroons", which are no slouches either in the larger sizes for big fish.

Frank

[ourford]

Thanks Frank. I'm always happy to find a reel I didn't know about and find out how it works. It's even better to find an impressive one.