I took apart my new Chronarch CI4+ 151 today to do some maintenance and reoil the bearings. I had no trouble taking off the sideplate housing the brakes; however, even after removing all the screws and handle nuts, the handle-side sideplate isn't coming off. It seems something near the clutch is holding onto it and won't let to. I tried wedging a knife in to pry it open, but it won't give. Has anyone had any similar problems? 

Man don't pry it! There is a pin that runs through the line guide thats just like on E series reels,Make sure you have that unscrewed and backed out. 

Found the screw. It's tiny... Thanks for the help!

1 hour ago, PennBass said:

Found the screw. It's tiny... Thanks for the help!

No problem buddy.

14 hours ago, PennBass said:

Found the screw. It's tiny... Thanks for the help!

i did the same thing the first time i took mine apart (also probably the last time i'll take it apart)

The new I design is unnecessarily more difficult to work on. Not the end of the world just s little disappointing / annoying compared to the simple but effective E 

That is a bitty screw for sure.  I had to get a 00 Wiha screw driver.

My tension spool spring and knob on my Ci4 has always been overly complicated to get set back in correctly ever snce i bought it. I love the reel but that's one thing that erks me. Still one of my favorite reels I own.

Yeah thanks to you I got it open finally yes it’s a tiny screw I also started to get frustrated and use a screwdriver in one of the openings that makes ya think that’s what it’s for to pry on thank god I started thinkin there’s gotta be another way and found it here.