Hey all!
After a long search, I finally acquired the rare gem of the French Ru Mer spin reel world.
A 1960 Ru Mer 101 ultralight spin reel with original exploded parts diagram and price list sheet.
This one is the "Jade" color scheme.
A two tone green finish with green handle knob.
It looks more grey, than green, but it does have a greenish tinge to it.
Original finish with slight wear.
It didn't really need it, but I gave it a complete stripdown and refresh, plus, I wanted to see it's inner workings.
Just how I roll.
Over-engineered?
Heck yeah, but I like em like that!
Reassembly went smooth and I painted the ends of the a/r button, green, to match the knob.
All finish was left original with all wear intact.
I also used my letter punches to initial the lead counterweight.
My personal touch...
The before and after pictures don't look much different, other than, no nasty grease present.
Gave all parts a full fresh oiling and reel is very smooth, now, after sticky grease gone.
Taking this old girl out for some crappie fishing action, this weekend.
Peace!!
I've got a box of kinda rough looking half bail French reels of this variety that will never do me any good. One of these days I may offer them to you at the cost of shipping. They deserve a better home.
Final pictures
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on August 07, 2025, 11:26:15 AMI've got a box of kinda rough looking half bail French reels of this variety that will never do me any good. One of these days I may offer them to you at the cost of shipping. They deserve a better home.
Throw a post up on the forum with some pictures, if you have a chance.
I may be interested depending on make/models
:) Very well done , That may be the first one "ultralight " that I have seen . I do have the bigger half bails .
Excellent job. You do a great job capturing the teardown and results. I hope this message encourages you to continue your documentation series. I know it requires patience and it's a lot of work.
The former (patience) is my issue. I'm too eager to get to the result and find the photo taking gets in my way.
Quote from: jtwill98 on August 07, 2025, 03:30:29 PMExcellent job. You do a great job capturing the teardown and results. I hope this message encourages you to continue your documentation series. I know it requires patience and it's a lot of work.
The former (patience) is my issue. I'm too eager to get to the result and find the photo taking gets in my way.
I love documenting the process and try to take very detailed pictures for the next guy or even myself, as I have gone back to my old threads for advice, due to the fact that mine may be the only stripdown info available online.
Thanks for the words and glad you enjoy!!
Peace!
Quote from: oldmanjoe on August 07, 2025, 01:49:56 PM:) Very well done , That may be the first one "ultralight " that I have seen . I do have the bigger half bails .
Yes. It's the rarer ultralight Ru and engineered with same quality as the larger 201, 401, Sport,etc.
Very nice vintage action.
Well done! An intricate procedure with lots of parts on that little dude! I applaud your patience & attention to detail. 8)
Been taking a summertime hiatus from reel teardown & resto the last 3 or 4 years since we bought a place on a lake. Spend most of my warm weather time fishing & mowing ;) nowadays. Fish just about every day & put playing with reels on hold until the snow flys.
I enjoy your detailed tutorials. :al
Quote from: jtwill98 on August 07, 2025, 03:30:29 PMExcellent job. You do a great job capturing the teardown and results. I hope this message encourages you to continue your documentation series. I know it requires patience and it's a lot of work.
The former (patience) is my issue. I'm too eager to get to the result and find the photo taking gets in my way.
I don't have a problem taking photos along the way but what get on my nerves is is putting it all together & uploading it all into an understandable tutorial. For me, at least, it seems like that takes more time & patience than working on the reel in the first place. 🤯 🙄 😁
Quote from: Midway Tommy on August 07, 2025, 04:50:16 PMWell done! An intricate procedure with lots of parts on that little dude! I applaud your patience & attention to detail. 8)
Been taking a summertime hiatus from reel teardown & resto the last 3 or 4 years since we bought a place on a lake. Spend most of my warm weather time fishing & mowing ;) nowadays. Fish just about every day & put playing with reels on hold until the snow flys.
I enjoy your detailed tutorials. :al
Thanks, man!
I fish every weekend with my 83 year old Vietnam veteran father, who still loads his own boat every time.
We live very near Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., so crappie fishing is our passion, ne.xt to vintage gear.
Beautiful reel! Leave it to the French to come up with something "different". Thanks for sharing, and especially thanks for posting the reel parts diagram, which I bet is something hard to come by (and which I suspect you made extensive use of in your rehab!)
Frank
Quote from: happyhooker on August 07, 2025, 08:33:21 PMBeautiful reel! Leave it to the French to come up with something "different". Thanks for sharing, and especially thanks for posting the reel parts diagram, which I bet is something hard to come by (and which I suspect you made extensive use of in your rehab!)
Frank
Thanks,Frank!
Actually, didn't really need the diagram, as it was a pretty straightforward stripdown.
I take many pictures before actually pulling things apart, so that helps immensely when wondering, "how's this part go?" Lol
Working flawlessly on the big black and white crappie!!
Giving the 1936 Hardy Altex some action, too.
Just super!
Frank
Good for you! Looks like a fun time. ;) My wife is jealous, she loves catching crappies. 😉 Although she did latch onto a 28" walleye yesterday evening, her personal best 'eye, plus she cranked in five smaller ones. 👏 The big mama was quickly released right back into her environment. 👍
I just gotta ask,
(https://alantani.com/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=157972;image)
what sort of gear ratio does this thing have that it needed a heat sink on the crankcase to help cool the gear oil ... ?
Quote from: nunc on August 09, 2025, 04:51:48 AMI just gotta ask,
(https://alantani.com/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=157972;image)
what sort of gear ratio does this thing have that it needed a heat sink on the crankcase to help cool the gear oil ... ?
😂😂🤣🤣
Quote from: Midway Tommy on August 09, 2025, 12:28:38 AMGood for you! Looks like a fun time. ;) My wife is jealous, she loves catching crappies. 😉 Although she did latch onto a 28" walleye yesterday evening, her personal best 'eye, plus she cranked in five smaller ones. 👏 The big mama was quickly released right back into her environment. 👍
Awesome! We've got Walleye here,too. We affectionately call them, the steak of the lake. Can't be beat and oh, so, fun to catch!
Quote from: nunc on August 09, 2025, 04:51:48 AMI just gotta ask,
(https://alantani.com/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=157972;image)
what sort of gear ratio does this thing have that it needed a heat sink on the crankcase to help cool the gear oil ... ?
Haha! Thats where you put the dimes, to counterbalance!
3.5 to 1