Anyone do conv maintaince themselves?
I also am looking to upgrade the linefeeder on my 6501TCS.

Suggestions for good reading material?

Thanks,
BIll

have a 5600, a 6600 and a 7000. easy to clean and service. abu's are easy to service yourself. just make sure the spool's and bearings are always oiled. i oil the spools every other trip. 3-1 oil works best on the spool ends. some of the bait shops do sell the kits for drags, bearings, stc. or go to hatteras outfitters.
on the reading end. i check out of the libiary the older s-b books. there are hints in there that we tend to overlook. good luck

Sorry - no upgrades for Southpaws...

Seriously, I don't know the 6501. Like mentioned above, get some Smoothies, Extreme Smoothies (or cut down some HT100 Penns), Abec 7s are nice as are Ceramics.

Just the feeder? To replace? Or upgrade to a different version?

Abus are real easy, just make sure you've got the schematic handy, if you don't have the original that came with your reel you can download it from their site. As far as drag upgrades, get yourself the hatteras outfitter drag stack, by far the best abu drag upgrade available.

Sorry - no upgrades for Southpaws...

Seriously, I don't know the 6501. Like mentioned above, get some Smoothies, Extreme Smoothies (or cut down some HT100 Penns), Abec 7s are nice as are Ceramics.

Just the feeder? To replace? Or upgrade to a different version?

Abu 6000-6501 Dual Bearing Level Wind Kit.

Can't find a Ceramic or Titanium Feeder.

If I remember correctly, Connie @ Lake Fork Tackle dot com had a picture tutorial detailing the steps for cleaning Abu's. I hope I remembered that right?:wall:

Try this site www.pierfishing.com look under resources has lots of info.I use 6501 and have done up a couple reels www.hatteresoutfitters.com has parts that you can buy to upgrade the reels.

Striperman:

I own and fish a bunch of Abus and maintenance is relativley easy. The tricky part is doing it the first time. After that, it's like dissassembing and reassembling a small puzzle.

If you are new to using Abus, I reccomend you just fish it out of the box the first season and learn to use it. I think some of the upgrades may be somewhat over rated or exagerated. However, you will notice an improved drag performance by adding HT100 drag washers. I've never used the SMOOTHIES or EXTREME SMOOTHIES, but I'm sure they offer added benefits also. You may notice the drag feels a little "sticky" when you hook a good fish...but don't loose sleep over it.

If you are using it as a surf outfit, there are a few minor self-upgrades you can make to increase performance., but again, I reccomend you fish it "AS IS" for a while and get use to it.

If you want to start going inside, follow the directions that come with the reel. Once you remove the spool, you'll want to keep the bearings and a few other parts well oiled.

If the reel is brand new, I wouldn't open it up yet until after you use it unless you want to explore inside.

If you need any specific details, let me know and I'll get you further info. There's been a lot written about fine-tuning these reels.

Good luck.

Striperman:

I own and fish a bunch of Abus and maintenance is relativley easy. The tricky part is doing it the first time. After that, it's like dissassembing and reassembling a small puzzle.

If you are new to using Abus, I reccomend you just fish it out of the box the first season and learn to use it. I think some of the upgrades may be somewhat over rated or exagerated. However, you will notice an improved drag performance by adding HT100 drag washers. I've never used the SMOOTHIES or EXTREME SMOOTHIES, but I'm sure they offer added benefits also. You may notice the drag feels a little "sticky" when you hook a good fish...but don't loose sleep over it.

If you are using it as a surf outfit, there are a few minor self-upgrades you can make to increase performance., but again, I reccomend you fish it "AS IS" for a while and get use to it.

If you want to start going inside, follow the directions that come with the reel. Once you remove the spool, you'll want to keep the bearings and a few other parts well oiled.

If the reel is brand new, I wouldn't open it up yet until after you use it unless you want to explore inside.

If you need any specific details, let me know and I'll get you further info. There's been a lot written about fine-tuning these reels.

Good luck.


One I want to oil and I have the directions in Japanese!! I want to change the drag disks as I was over tightening them this year.

The other is a used 6501 TCS based for freshwater use for muskie that I need to upgrade for saltwater and braid use. I do not have the instructions for this reel.

You really don't need to upgrade the line guide system, and shouldn't unless you want to service the bearings after nearly every use. They are not well protected and quickly turn into stainless bushings. Also, you won't need any special line guide for braid either.

You should upgrade your drags to carbon fiber greased with Cal's or Shimano drag grease. Smoothdrag's carbon washer is "carbontex" you can also buy some Cal's grease from them too. You may need to replace the metal washers too. Abu also sells carbon replacement drags and includes them in their new reels. Unless they are greased they will fail after getting wet.

Oiling the bearings involves removing the shields and putting a drop of oil on them.

Give it a try - If you can't put them back together I'll help you.

Thanks Roger,
Where do you get you drag washers from ABU direct?

The number I've used for other parts is 1.800.228.4272
They can be found at purefishing.com

FWIW, since you still need drag grease, I'd get both from smoothdrag

Good luck.

When you open it up make sure the casting brakes dont dissapear. I cant remeber if that model's brakes clip on or will fall off. Even though i have lost a couple it hasnt really affected the performance. On one reel i took 2 of them off and i think it helped the casting a bit. I havent felt the need to upgrade the "linefeeder" they seem to work just fine as is. Im a firm believer in smoothies, all my abu's get em right away. I didnt care for the carbonex washers dry. I have to try and oil them to see if it helps. Once you open it up once its a snap, and im not mechanically inclined at all. I oil the levelwind every couple trips and clean out the slot where the top of the levelwind attaches. Also, i oil the bearings a couple times a season, it takes a while cleaning them and heating them up.

When you open it up make sure the casting brakes dont dissapear.

Very good point - I've lost more than a few through the years.


I didnt care for the carbonex washers dry. I have to try and oil them to see if it helps.

FWIW, only use one of the two greases that I mentioned. Oil or normal greases tend to gum them up. The drag greases are some kind of synthetic blend that does not seem to thin with heat.

I am looking at Hatteras Outfitters for some EyeCandy. They have a full drag washer set for the 6500's for about 20 bucks. I will also get some grease

Thanks for all the help. I'll be taken the 6501 TCS apart next week.

I am looking at Hatteras Outfitters for some EyeCandy. They have a full drag washer set for the 6500's for about 20 bucks. I will also get some grease

Thanks for all the help. I'll be taken the 6501 TCS apart next week.

Spend the extra $10 and get the HO CF combo drag washer kit, way better than the smoothie drag, IMHO.

You will find the abu's a cinch to work on. You live close enough to M&D's and Mike is an expert on reels - also usually has any part you may need in stock. Go with the smoothies if it is an older reel. There are no secrets with the Abu reels - keep em clean and lubed and they will perform fine! :tooth::tooth:

Hmmmm - wonder if we should have a Reel Party some time - we haven't done that in a while...

I'm up for one.
How many people?