eightydee Posted July 7, 2019 Posted July 7, 2019 Hello! I received this Abu Ambassadeur 5000 from my grand father a few months ago. I used it once and caught a nice bowfin. Actually my first bowfin. I want to kind of restore it and keep it as I am a fan of Abu Garcia products. Since this is before Abu Garcia added the Garcia, it has to be 50's to 70's reel. It is dirty but I would love to keep this around. Any information or information leading to ways to restore it or clean it up would be amazing! I had to use Imgur for the pictures. https://imgur.com/FHSMkZX https://imgur.com/A22Ih7K https://imgur.com/XSXhkOR 1 Quote
Dogface Posted July 7, 2019 Posted July 7, 2019 I had one just like that. They are classics. I'd get a schematic and break it own just enough to so that I could get to all the parts to clean them. If I was going to fish with it then I would break it down to where I could clean it and lube it. You should be able to find the schematic on line. If you can't I may still have one I'd send you. Quote
eightydee Posted July 19, 2019 Author Posted July 19, 2019 On 7/7/2019 at 12:16 AM, Dogface said: I had one just like that. They are classics. I'd get a schematic and break it own just enough to so that I could get to all the parts to clean them. If I was going to fish with it then I would break it down to where I could clean it and lube it. You should be able to find the schematic on line. If you can't I may still have one I'd send you. That would be amazing if you could send it. I think I found the schematic but not sure. I actually would love to just clean it up and possibly buy a rod from that era. Keep it on a wall to bring up fish stories. I did snap the Daiwa rod that my grandfather mounted it on from the bowfin. I know they are selling for 40 to 60 dollars with the leather case on eBay but I do not have plans as this is one of the first Abu reels so I think it's pretty cool. Quote
redmeansdistortion Posted July 19, 2019 Posted July 19, 2019 Find a fiberglass rod of the same era and put it on a wall. You could also service and fish it. It's a fine reel and could be made better with a few choice upgrades. There are no bearings on that reel, just bushings so it will be pretty limited in the baits you can throw. 1/2oz and heavier will be best. If you swap the spool bushings for bearings, add a double bearing level wind, a double bearing idler gear, some lightweight brake blocks, and Carbontex drag washers, it'll feel like a completely different reel and will cast baits down to 1/4oz trouble free. Quote
Super User Mobasser Posted July 19, 2019 Super User Posted July 19, 2019 My first casting reel was a red ABU5000 that my older brother gave me. I retired that one years ago. It's a classic reel that I'm sure many others have used also. Nothing wrong with still fishing it, but there are so many newer lighter faster reels on the market for good prices these days. For the cost of upgrading it, you could probably get a new reel. I would keep it for sure, being a gift from your grandfathet Quote
Dogface Posted July 22, 2019 Posted July 22, 2019 I just saw your reply. I'll look for the schematic tomorrow. Quote
Dogface Posted July 22, 2019 Posted July 22, 2019 Eightydee, I looked but I don't have the schematic. Sorry. Quote
oldschoolbasser Posted July 25, 2019 Posted July 25, 2019 Boca Bearings makes a bearing to replace the bushings.3.2x10x4 Quote
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