Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Spinning Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Olympic => Topic started by: FlipFlopRepairShoppe on April 14, 2019, 07:14:37 AM

Title: Olympic 83 (didn't know where else to put this)
Post by: FlipFlopRepairShoppe on April 14, 2019, 07:14:37 AM
Won an auction for an Olympic 83.  Reminded me of one of my favorite reels that I haven't been able to get for a decent price yet, the french made Centaure. 

So, got her in and stripped her down, expecting to take her fishing.  One of her main drive gears was missing teeth, but what I found next was just downright heartbreaking, as well as mind boggling.  Her gear was not only chipped, but had splitting and stress fractures in the side.  I've never seen metal expand and crack like that.  I'm keeping her because I love the way she looks, but am heartbroken that she's not fishable.  I will take pictures of the gear tomorrow to show everyone.  If anyone knows of a place to get another gear, please let me know.
Title: Re: Olympic 83 (didn't know where else to put this)
Post by: philaroman on April 14, 2019, 11:56:32 AM
years back, found a mint one for $35; sent it back to Japan for $200
in collectible condition, the 50's Ueno Seiko clones are more rare/expensive than the French originals
not nearly as durable, either, so well used reels w/ good gears are highly unlikely
sorry, you prob. need the tears of an albino unicorn, to trade for a new gear :(
Title: Re: Olympic 83 (didn't know where else to put this)
Post by: FlipFlopRepairShoppe on April 16, 2019, 06:18:04 PM
Oh yeah, I'm not going to try to find a new gear for her.  I've already put her back together, all lubed up, and she's going to sit on a shelf with the other odd, interesting, and cool early surf reels I pick up.  I finally remembered to post pics of her gear, and you can see how trashed it is.  Too bad, because other than that, she's in good shape.

We picked an odd hobby, and you can't save 'em all, but I'll give the ones I come across a dry place to be remembered.  My den will probably look like an odd surf reel museum, someday.  It won't be the biggest, or best collection, but it'll still be one.
Title: Re: Olympic 83 (didn't know where else to put this)
Post by: Midway Tommy on April 16, 2019, 06:51:05 PM
That's a shame!  :( It is one of the reasons, though, why I shy away from reels that were made with alloy, i.e. pot metal, or plastic/nylon gears and/or crosswind blocks. One never knows when something like that will happen. Brass & steel seem to have a lot better, and longer, survival rate.
Title: Re: Olympic 83 (didn't know where else to put this)
Post by: FlipFlopRepairShoppe on April 16, 2019, 07:32:23 PM
I am now a convert to that philosophy.  But if I hadn't bought all of these oddball reels I wouldn't know firsthand which ones were good.  I'm right there with you about only fishing the robust reels. DAMs, Cracks, Heddons, and Penns are what I trust, so far.
Title: Re: Olympic 83 (didn't know where else to put this)
Post by: philaroman on April 17, 2019, 02:57:35 AM

HOLD THE BUS!!!  ...pls. post photos of complete reel

do you have the rare green half-bail '50s Ueno Seiko Olympic Model 83 (EXACT clone of the Centaure):
https://www.google.com/search?q=Olympic+Model+83+reel&tbm=isch&source=univ&client=firefox-b-1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiI6YXYitbhAhUBm-AKHZBrDu0QsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1024&bih=690&dpr=1.25 (https://www.google.com/search?q=Olympic+Model+83+reel&tbm=isch&source=univ&client=firefox-b-1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiI6YXYitbhAhUBm-AKHZBrDu0QsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1024&bih=690&dpr=1.25)

OR

grey full-bail '60s/'70s Olympic, LTD Model 83 (vaguely reminiscent of the Centaure)

I think I have it NIB, somewhere, along with two other reels that appear virtually identical:

partial Olympic Hurricane/Matador/something-or-other ???

frozen Compac Cadillac (III or IV ? ):
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=compac+cadillac&_sacat=1492&rt=nc&LH_Complete=1 (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=compac+cadillac&_sacat=1492&rt=nc&LH_Complete=1)

if I ever find 'em (no time soon), I'll check the gears & PM

Title: Re: Olympic 83 (didn't know where else to put this)
Post by: FlipFlopRepairShoppe on April 17, 2019, 04:50:23 AM
Phil, this is the grey full bail model that looks to be identical to the Compac Cadillac III.  I'll gladly take full pictures tomorrow, but this reel is definitely grey, sir.

Sir, if you ever do pull them out and have a spare gear, I'm your huckleberry.
Title: Re: Olympic 83 (didn't know where else to put this)
Post by: philaroman on April 17, 2019, 11:58:33 AM

pics might be nice for the Forum, but this is enough for me:

Quote from: FlipFlopRepairShoppe on April 17, 2019, 04:50:23 AM
...grey full bail model that looks to be identical to the Compac Cadillac III...

actually, the knurl on the drag knob is different (LOL), but all the knobs, spools, handles, etc. were swap-able, as I recall...  never looked inside, but guessing gear issues for both of my donors (1 rough, 1 frozen)...  still, appears same reel was re-released/re-branded many times & your prospects for a gear are SOOO MUCH better (than ZERO, for the rare '50s version)
Title: Re: Olympic 83 (didn't know where else to put this)
Post by: FlipFlopRepairShoppe on April 17, 2019, 05:17:33 PM
Thank you for your possible future help, Phil.  I do love the way this reel is built, and I was planning on harassing the redfish with her.