Reel Repair by Alan Tani

I just acquired my 1st 500 & upon inspection the eccentric lever was installed backwards but functioning ,now it is stuck in freespool. Also I haven't been able to get the sideplate to turn counterclockwise Via the quick take down knob?

Sometimes the side plate swells a little and it is a little sticky and hard to get off. Throw it in the freezer for an hour to shrink a tiny bit. Otherwise lean on it a little harder or try a strap wrench
Once apart clean it up inside and you should be fine

My Surf Master was like that when I first got it.

The take down screw is spring loaded and needs to be pulled outward and held in place until it clears the hole in the frame when you first try to turn the plate assy. There may be sand or corrosion between the plate ring and the frame ring. Maybe spray WD40 or some othe penetrating oil around the edge of the plate/frame junction. Also it's a bit tricky but get a grip on the reel that allows you to hold the screw out against the spring and push inward on the side plate while you try to rotate it counter clockwise.

I got the 501 kit from Randy and have to swap out the posts and do a full maintenance on it anywho.

I've found that I can use both hands on reels with the quick release side-plate if I loosen the screw, then wedge a pair of tweezers under the screw-head to hold it out, while twisting the plate. Surprisingly a '39-'41 Silver Beach 97 never gave me a problem. Sometimes I wonder if the pre-war Bakelite was better stuff.

I found the jigmaster section after
I posted this Gregg.I need to get it moved over there I rectum.I keep going back to your awesome 500/01/05/06 comparison.I have heat shrink on each of the jaws of a pair of hemostats I use on my blackmax side cover release,I will try your tip Gregg.Maybe a squirt of Lucas reel oil might help

I tried the freezer trick nogo yet,I doused the quick release hole & all behind the side plate with Lucas reel oil.Has anyone ever tried a flat piece of metal through the 4 posts for leverage while holding the quick release out using your thumb/index finger while holding the handle side plate?

Quote from: jgp12000 on July 07, 2024, 12:15:36 AMI tried the freezer trick nogo yet,I doused the quick release hole & all behind the side plate with Lucas reel oil.Has anyone ever tried a flat piece of metal through the 4 posts for leverage while holding the quick release out using your thumb/index finger while holding the handle side plate?

That would work, James —-

But use a piece of wood instead (clamp a cut down 2X4) in a bench vise —- then holding the wood and post frame firmly —- just try to wiggle the head plate assembly clockwise and then counter-clockwise back and forth —- while making sure the spring thumb post take apart knob (TA-200) is being also held out with your finger and thumb.  Be careful since there is not much meat on that take-apart hole through the Bakelite at that point.  Or you may be sourcing a new sideplate.  All that is holding the plate assembly is likely some prehistoric dried up salt.

Best, Fred

Yep Fred,after I thought about it wood will be easier on the posts.Maybe over night the oil will get in there better,I am hitting the hay.

Do you have red or black plates?

Red

Ok this is what I did, I mounted the 500 on an old rod handle including the clamp, tightened in the vice pipe slot. I locked the heat shrunk  hemostat jaws behind the take down screw & used the plastic coated Channel lock handle for leverage. It came right off, no chance by hand. I saw in Alan's 500 tutorial he greases the rings during maintenance, I would venture to say this 500 has never been apart before. I got the eccentric handle on correctly & it functions like it should. Now I will tear it down for cleaning/lube & conversion to 501.

Good job. I love it when a plan comes together

Very clever.

Now it's a 501 & I used some of the line that was on the 500 spool, I have never seen it before Dacron? It is different colors I assume for depth measurement.
It weighs 19.47 oz. with the aluminum spool I got from Randy at Vintage Offshore tackle.I got it on a 7' Ugly Stik now, thinking bout a 10' Penn Mariner 3
Med/heavy rod down the line.