oldschoolbasser

Looks good,great job! I have a black IAR brake plate too,just waiting to see if Simon is going to do Custom IAR sideplates, if so,I might do a CDL version. Me and Eddie at Dad's Ole Tackle are best buds! I get parts from him all the time. These reels are a lot of fun to fish with and upgrade. I'm working on a 2500C that a friend of mine sent me. It was in pretty bad shape,and it looked like the previous owner used silicone on some of the parts! There was grease everywhere, and all the parts were stuck together. Good thing I had a spare frame, and spool because the foot was broken off,and the side plates were trashed. This will definitely be a reel I will fish with,and not for my collection. I've also started upgrading my 80's Ambassadeurs, worm gear, cog wheels,sideplates,and handles. Also a Custom 4600D with a lightweight chrome frame. Just waiting for the spools im getting from Avail which are being specially built by the owner of the company. The 80's style reels have been overlooked by so many people,but are some of the best fishing reel around.

The Green, Red,and Blue plates will only fit the IAR models. As for finding a IAR brake plate,good luck,I've only been able to find used ones! You've got a lot of work in those reels. The BM's are a good base reel to upgrade,and the spool widths are comparable to the 15-2500C's. The C4 is another great reel to upgrade,and will give you a larger size reel for applications like cranks,and blades.

Pro Shop Otsuka has been good to me.

Pike fishing with that reel will not be a problem. I believe that's a 84'model,or 82',the 1st 2 numbers on the foot will tell you the year it was built. I still have one that I've never fished with,and I converted 2 others into 4500C's.

My Alpha 105SH showed up today

If your reels don't have instant anti-reverse, the swept star drag wheels won't work. BTW,I have 4 more different color reels. Burgundy, Blue,Red,and Gold.

Nice set! I see you took off the star wheel so you can use a swept handle. If you use a Hawgtech, or Avail swept handle,you can still use the star wheel. Never tried the 4 brake blocks as I rarely use that much braking on my but I really want to try the Avail magnetic brakes. My next Custom 2500C is going to have pink side plates,and a chrome frame. I'll probably put all the bearing,and gearing upgrades, plus magnetic braking on that reel. Since Custom side plates are going to be available soon,I'll be concentrating on the little guys more than my 45-4600's. Keep up the good work fishangdood,and check out our FB group. We Who Loves the Abu Ambassadeurs. 6:1 Green 2500CI with swept star drag wheel,and handle. Custom 150C (Japan budget model) with 5.3:1 gears,ceramic bearings,and Avail spool. Lots of fun!

I have both the 1540,and 2540 spools on my 15-2500C's, and they work just fine. I haven't tried the magnetic brakes yet,but I want to give them a try. The 1520,and 2520 are a little too shallow, and don't have the depth to hold much line,even with 5lb floro. I've been using them for plastics, and darter heads since the late 70's, and they've never let me down. Out here in the West,1500-2500C's on a Phenix Dooldlin' rod was the hot set up, especially for vertical fishing. Fact is I still have 2 of those setups with me whenever I go fishing is a testament to their fish catching qualities.

My 15-2500C's works pretty well for light baits and worms.

Cheched the EMS tracking, and my reel has been stuck in Customs since the 17th! WTH! This has never happened before, usually it's only been there for a day.

Now's a good timecto buy in Japan as the prices have really dropped. Unfortunately, the Evergreen rod I want isn't in stock. Hope it comes in soon before rates go back up!

Just ordered an Alpha 105SH. With the exchange rate it's down to $185.

Minnow,I have 3 sets of 5.3:1 gears that I found a year ago from a fellow collector in Canada.I can check with him and see if he has any more. The 3 sets I have are going into reels that I will be building. Let me know if you find them.

Minnow, the only reason I can think of is for smoother retrieve. Yes the Pro,and Black Max were Ultracast spool reels.

Tom,the 2500C, and the 2500 are not the same reel. The 2500 was a direct drive model from the 60's. I think you might be thinking about the difference between "C" and the CI,or IAR. C's are 4.7:1,the others are 5.3:1. Henry,I've been using the lightweight frames for about 2 years. Mine are the 1st attempts by Simon to perfect the chroming process, makes a huge difference in weight. Simon's going to start making side plates for the 15-2500C's (I have a set reserved for me)hopefully all the same colors as his larger sizes. I'm pretty much done doing larger reels,going to concentrate on the little guy now. Minnow,just check the schematics page on the Abu Garcia web site. The part numbers you're looking for are 21759,pinion gear,and 22515 drive gear. Good luck finding those.

You can get an Avail 6:1 gear set from Japantackle. 5.3:1 gear sets are almost impossible to find.All non IAR reels are 4.7:1,and IAR's are 5.3:1. Ceramic bearings,and an Avail lightweight spool would be a nice upgrade too.

Morrums are the Top of The Line round Ambassadeurs! Light,smooth,and a pleasure to fish with! I just picked up the ZPI tuned AE74 UM S2 Limited Edition, can't wait to try it out.

Just cut them in 1/2 with a razor blade,that's what I do.

I went to the show too Tom, hoping to get a look at the Majorcraft Rods, what a disappointment! They only had an entry level rod that was going for $100. None of the higher end lines like the Corrza,or Corkish. Although the rods were well made,and finished,they just didn't float my boat,plus the logo was in yellow! Looked like Skeet Reese designed I have them. ZPI was there selling handles,bearings,and dress-up reel parts which was a 1st for them. Picked up some SIC bearings for $10 less than I've seen anywhere.

Josh,,he round Black Max's are a good little reel,but I would rather have the 1500-2500C's. They're easier to work on,lots of upgrades available, and a blast to fish with! One of the best finesse reels around.

We who loves the Abu Ambassadeurs on FB is one of the best places to get technical help for upgrading Ambassadeur reels. There's some sick reels on those pages,and lots of people willing to help you out.

Just a few more

Goose52, yes he has a business that sells these parts, and you can contact him through FB,or myself. I believe he also makes bearing supported drive shafts,and skeletized line guides for the 1500-2500C Series reels, both standard and IAR.

You'll enjoy it Josh as there are some tricked out reels! Plenty of new ideas, and people sharing their reels. From serious collectors to weekend fisherman, everyone is welcomed there.

The FB group is We Who Loves The Abu Ambassadeur. Guys from all over the world sharing their reels, and passion for all things Ambassadeur. Check it out,you'll be amazed at what you can do with an old Ambassadeur