Anyone know about this blue colored variant of the Abu line? It has a similar appearance to the 5000's It has bushings not ball bearings. Is it a specialty model for department stores? Does anyone know just what it's niche is? It is Abu Swedish made and appears to be good quality. Foot number 01 01 02.

Art

I have/had a 650 plus. I used it for a couple of seasons, with bearings. I took the bushing out. I did some work on it this year. New level wind, an extra bearing on the l/w cog. Now it's a c3. I also put blue side plates on from a c4, but kept the black frame. Oh, I also have a power handle on mine. This reel, when I got it was just as good as a 6500.
And right now, it is fast, I mean fast.:kewl:

Hi Jimmy,

That's what I've learned, the 550 plus is basically a 5500c3 with bushings instead of bearings.
I just got a real nice 5500c3 from ebay, but I'm still gonna put ball bearings on the 550 plus's spool at least. i don't know how much improvement the crank bearing would be.
One thing for sure the ball bearing c3 out casts the plus with spool bushings.