Ambassadeur Royal

[Arkansas Dave]

Ambassadeur Royal with 820400 on reel foot. Does have a model number ?...or is it just ambassadeur Royal ? I can't find any numbers on it other than the one on the foot.

[oc1]

The reel foot stamp is the date code.  1982.  The "Royal" was a limited edition with enhanced aesthetics and only came in one size.  It's pretty much like a 5000C on the inside.

[Arkansas Dave]

1982 ? It's in great condition for it's age. Paint is chipped in a few places, and some minor scratches. Pretty cool...Thanks for the info oc1 !

[Arkansas Dave]

Does anyone know if there are upgrades for this reel ? I read that it is a power reel...and doesn't do so well with lighter baits, which seems accurate because I can't get it to cast very far at all. I really like this reel and want to use it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[JasonGotaProblem]

My goodness you could build one of these out of all aftermarket upgrade parts.

Google hedgehog studio out of Japan. Or rocket reel company in England. That's a start.

[quang tran]

I don't have that reel but I guess it similar to C3,C4 .Not design for bait under 1/4 oz and line under 10 lbs test .When casting bait have to pull all the gears for line guide so we do need some weight to cast , not a true free spool
1982 there are few baitcasting reel that can cast lighter bait and use 6lbs test as Daiwa PMF1000 , I used to cast with floating Rapalas # 9 with this . Many other reel can't use light line but true free spool and I can cast unweighted worm with 12-14 lbs test
  Someone may like the reel too much and try to upgrade to cast far but it will cost lots more money than buy a good reel for that purpose
  Why not use spinning reel or even a spincast , cheap and good

[Arkansas Dave]

I'm using 5/8-3/4 oz spinnerbait and buzzbait with 12 lb line. Maybe it needs a good cleaning and re-lube. I'll check those out Jason. Thanks guys

[JasonGotaProblem]

Really if you wanna improve the casting distance: the best upgrade is high quality spool bearings, and an aggressive polishing and light oiling (with a light oil) of the level wind assembly. Also look out for evidence of the spool rubbing on the frame. Lots of threads on that, but the short version is coat the rim of the spool in sharpie ink, let it dry, reinstall, and set it spinning. Then look for spots on the frame with ink deposited (or coat the inner rim of the frame and look for spots where it rubbed off), lightly sand those areas and repeat. A spool rub will hurt freespool A LOT.

QT, My Abu 2500C is from the 70s, and so is it's rod. Yeah I probably dropped at least $300 on it in debatable upgrades, but you should see how far those 1/16oz lures fly.

[quang tran]

Really if you wanna improve the casting distance: the best upgrade is high quality spool bearings, and an aggressive polishing and light oiling (with a light oil) of the level wind assembly. Also look out for evidence of the spool rubbing on the frame. Lots of threads on that, but the short version is coat the rim of the spool in sharpie ink, let it dry, reinstall, and set it spinning. Then look for spots on the frame with ink deposited (or coat the inner rim of the frame and look for spots where it rubbed off), lightly sand those areas and repeat. A spool rub will hurt freespool A LOT.

QT, My Abu 2500C is from the 70s, and so is it's rod. Yeah I probably dropped at least $300 on it in debatable upgrades, but you should see how far those 1/16oz lures fly.

I agree that we can upgrade to cast far and use lighter bait . I have 7-8 5500 reel mostly for flat head ,I think these are best for catfish . When I moved to Houston I try to use these for salt water and found it easy to get water get inside and my hand is small , hard for my hand when have to cast with it all day

[oc1]

That's the trouble with all the Ambassadeurs; they are too large to comfortably palm.  In the 1970's ABU did not recognize the benefits of a low profile design and disengaging levelwind until it was too late and they lost their market share to the likes of Shimano, Ryobi and Diawa.

[Swami805]

With 3/4 oz lure that reel should cast a mile. Something is wrong with it

[JasonGotaProblem]

Tincanary is the Abu whisperer. Me, I just shout at them.

[thorhammer]

Start with a really good cleaning and modern oil like Rocket Fuel, TS321, Corrosion X or Speed X. That usually helps a lot.  A modern precision Abec 5 or 7 bearing or ceramic hybrid from Dawn or Boca set really amps it up; make sure level wind is clean and tuned. Burnish spool shafts etc. as stated earlier. I "think" that reel is 3x10x4 bearings but measure with calipers to be sure. Change drags to greased carbontex.

Also, make sure Rocket still ships here if you order; I recently saw where Black Dog is on pause out of the UK.

John

[Gfish]

Does this one have centrifugal cast control? A sometimes overlooked place to clean is the plate where the weights spin.

[Arkansas Dave]

No cast control....I'll give it a good cleaning and inspection as suggested.