It took a while to put this set of mid 1980s two speed Fin-Nor reels together ! The 9/0 is most common from what I have seen then the 7.5 /0 two speed I have seen a few of them but not to many !! The 6/0 wides were not common and only made a shot time. Now the 2.5 /0 and 4/0 two speeds were the hardest for me to find and I have only seen a few of each.
The 2.5 and 4/0 transmissions were designed by Oscar Kovalovsky son of famous reel maker Arthur Kovalovsky from Hollywood California. Because of old patent infringements between Fin-Nor and Kovalovsky Oscars name didn't go on the small two speed patent it was Oscar's friend Big Game Fisherman " Steve Zuckerman " That claimed the design and dealt with
Fin-Nor but Oscar was in background to claim most of the money !! You can read about it in the book " A conversation with Oscar Kovalovsky " A great little book written by Robert Douglas and Larry Lauve !! Book is still available.
Oscar designed the big 12/0 Tri-Gear transmission for Fin-Nor as well but it also went through Steve Zuckerman. I will post all reels together first then individually. Take notice of the pair of 6/0 wide models one of them has a one piece frame !! Maybe later version. Any one with catalog showing that please let me know when they made it.
Well hope you enjoy them and if anyone can add to or correct anything I have written please post it ! Thanks for looking ! John Taylor
Click on images to blow up.
9/0 and 7.5 /0 reels
The two 6/0 wide reels notice one piece frame
Last the 2.5 and 4/0 reels Thanks for looking !! John Taylor
I wanted to add the little 2.5 and 4/0 don't shift like the bigger reels you just push in small lever then lift up on the handle about a quarter inch to shift gears. They work great and are smooth as butter !! The 6/0 and up you lift handle then rotate to other hole to shift. John Taylor
Beautiful, John!
Nice work and research.
Best,
Fred
Wow John great work!!
Fabulous !! What would the 12/0 3 speed have sold for, new ?
:o :o :o 8)
What a collection of reels! A 5 or so hour ride might be worth it to see the John Taylor museum one day🙂.
Thanks for sharing John!
Sal
Those are quite a set of reels, they look like they've never seen water. Very nice.
Thanks everybody for the kind words !!
Crow: I am posting a 1986 Catalog and price list that I got a year or so ago from Randy Pauly Thanks Randy !!! These reels didn't go cheap as you will see. I will say they seem to be very well made and with some care will stand the test of time !!
Sal: I would be honored to have you up for a visit to check out my stuff !!! Winter is good for me I am home a lot. I hope you come up and bring any Tani friends that live near you !!!
And Sheridan: Some do show wear and scratches from use but some are near mint !!
Thanks again for looking !! John Taylor
I guess the $1100.00 price tag on the little 2.5 and $1150.00 on the 4/0 explain why there weren't many around LOL !!!!! ;D John Taylor
Wow ! That one piece frame on the 6/0 is impressive , nice collection Sir and good info on those goldies ...
What's that old saying ? "If you have to ask the price...you can't afford it !" A sweet collection, thanks for sharing...and for the catalog prices.
Stunning line up!
Beautiful reels, John, thanks for sharing the great pics and info! The little 2.5 is my favorite!
I always liked the looks of these on the outside. Dont Think any one could look inside of them & not be even more impressed. Probably the first time I've seen them all together in one pic owned by the same person... Jeff
Very impressive!
So impressive John! Your collections rock. I collect $20 reels. :-\
Incredible collection John - thanks for sharing!
There's something about the design approach of this era that feels like a 'golden age'.
QuoteThe little 2.5 is my favorite!
I agree Darin - it's a beauty!
PS The little Everol is still tucked away for ya, should you want it one day... ;)
All the best, Justin
Quote from: mo65 on August 04, 2019, 08:34:07 PM
So impressive John! Your collections rock. I collect $20 reels. :-\
Mo
There ain't anything wrong with $20 reels especially the way you break them down and lube them up and fix or replace any worn parts !!! Then you fish the crap out of them that is impressive to me ! I have been lucky in that I started my own driveway paving co. 20 years ago and have built a good reputation so we stay very busy all season. I don't spend a lot on fancy stuff except reels LOL and we live simple my girlfriend, dogs along with some fishing and hunting trips !!! Hopefully these can be part of my retirement if I live that long if not I will have enjoyed them while here !!!!! Thanks for the compliments .
John Taylor
PS here is my Tri-Gear 12/0
Wow, stunning set of reels John
At the original sticker price, I'm amazed they sold any reels. Obviously none of these 2speeds were ever mass produced. They all seem to have the same "Zukerman" tail plate bearing cover. I guess Mr Kavlosky was more interested in the monetary end, and Zukerman just wanted the fame
Thanks for sharing, now go lock em back in the vault
Ted
Hreat collection John, thanks for showing us, by the way what is the price of ?, cheers Don
Quote from: Maxed Out on August 05, 2019, 04:57:00 AM
Wow, stunning set of reels John
At the original sticker price, I'm amazed they sold any reels. Obviously none of these 2speeds were ever mass produced. They all seem to have the same "Zukerman" tail plate bearing cover. I guess Mr Kavlosky was more interested in the monetary end, and Zukerman just wanted the fame
Thanks for sharing, now go lock em back in the vault
Ted
Actually Ted they were in Fin-Nor's production line for a few years not exactly sure how long but they all have same bearing caps that were standard to Fin-Nor reels. The Tri-Gear in pictures is the original prototype reel that Kovalovsky put the 3 speed gear box on and Zuckerman's name was added this was Steve Zuckerman's personal reel. I also have his 2.5 /0 prototype reel that has seen much use. That has same bearing cap marked with Zuckerman's name. Here are pics of 2.5 reel and pics from book showing 3 speed gear box. John Taylor
speechless, simple amazing collection.
You always go big, John. I bet it took a while to mass the grouping. I can't imagine those prices back then... clearly, sport fishing was a rich man sport, really really rich men. :o
Thanks for the eye candy,
Dom
That is one sweet collection. I have always wondered how that drag system worked.
What were the gear ratios for the tri speed?
Quote from: Bryan Young on August 06, 2019, 04:58:57 AM
That is one sweet collection. I have always wondered how that drag system worked.
If you really want to know, I wrote a long explanation about it maybe ten years ago, here:
https://www.thehulltruth.com/sportfishing-charters-forum/157925-fin-nor-reels-12-0-9-0-6-0-4-0-21-2a.html
Quote from: Makule on August 06, 2019, 05:28:31 AM
What were the gear ratios for the tri speed?
Makule
The gear ratios on all the reels are posted on the price list here is another picture.
Dr. Rob
I looked at your old thread VERY IMPRESSIVE !! You have some very high machining skills !! Thanks for posting !
John Taylor
Quote from: Robert Janssen on August 06, 2019, 06:48:37 AM
If you really want to know, I wrote a long explanation about it maybe ten years ago, here:
https://www.thehulltruth.com/sportfishing-charters-forum/157925-fin-nor-reels-12-0-9-0-6-0-4-0-21-2a.html
You are amazing Doc!
Sal
Thank you
Quote from: 54bullseye on August 06, 2019, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: Makule on August 06, 2019, 05:28:31 AM
What were the gear ratios for the tri speed?
Makule
The gear ratios on all the reels are posted on the price list here is another picture.
Dr. Rob
I looked at your old thread VERY IMPRESSIVE !! You have some very high machining skills !! Thanks for posting !
John Taylor
Hello sir,
Would you have some specification ex. line cap. / gear ratio of each Fin/Nor 2-Speed model.
I'm from Thailand and really like Fin-Nor reel and have somes with no knowlegde about its spec.
Thank you