Any hints on removing the brakes from a Calcutta 400? I have the spring clip and plastic gear off the spool but do not want to force the black plastic housing that encapsulates the brakes (why they have this arrangement is beyond me since the Abus are so much simpler) but that's beside the point. Any assistance will be appreciated.

Any hints on removing the brakes from a Calcutta 400? I have the spring clip and plastic gear off the spool but do not want to force the black plastic housing that encapsulates the brakes (why they have this arrangement is beyond me since the Abus are so much simpler) but that's beside the point. Any assistance will be appreciated.

I don't think you can. I tried years ago and ended up ruining the reel. Saved it for parts and had to buy another. I am looking for another used one right now.

I haven't used my Calcutta in close to 10 years, but don't the brakes snap down and lock on their pins, so they don't exert any braking effect? :confused:

I haven't used my Calcutta in close to 10 years, but don't the brakes snap down and lock on their pins, so they don't exert any braking effect? :confused:

The brakes on the 700 do but I don't know about the 400's.

mike is rite they clip in place u just push them to the center of the spool and they snap in place

I'll try that locking in place, thanks

On the one Calcutta I have left, they do NOT lock down. This one is about 13 years old.

On the one Calcutta I have left, they do NOT lock down. This one is about 13 years old.

Did they wear out? IIRC there is tow positions on the brake wheel that you click the brakes through - as Mike P mentioned

Sell the Calcuta.
buy a Newell

Sell the Calcuta.
buy a Newell

Tautog has my last one, remember?

Did they wear out? IIRC there is tow positions on the brake wheel that you click the brakes through - as Mike P mentioned

I checked and that's what happened, they wore out. I'm sending it to Shimano today. For $35 they recondition the entire reel. I had one that I lost overboard last year, done by them 2 years ago.

I locked them in place per instructions but wonder why they don't make them removable like the Ambassadeurs. First thing i do is remove them...

I locked them in place per instructions but wonder why they don't make them removable like the Ambassadeurs. First thing i do is remove them...


Because they don't fall off the pins, and become useless for braking, like the Ambassadeurs. And then, they don't fall out never to be found again when you take the side plate off. ;)

You and I both remove the blocks on Ambassadeurs because we don't need them. The guys who do need them, also need them to work.

I can't remember how many times I've taken a NIB Abu out of the box, popped the plate off to remove the brakes, and found one or both already laying inside the drum.

Cleaned this one up, locked the brakes and oiled the bearings with "Liquid Bearings" synthetic lube and am impressed with the distance I'm getting with a 6 inch bomber on a 10 foot lami rod using 30 lb braid which, i have to say, is the first time I have tried braid on a conventional in several years due to some fantastic blowup/backlashes on my 220 newell that were impossible to clear...