Fix up an old Shimano Spinning reel?

[Jaybert]

Ok so I have a Shimano Syncopate 2000 spinning reel. It was one of the first “decent” reels I bought back in the day In my teens. I’m thinkin 1997 or so. Retired it a while back and upgraded to the stradics I use now.  It’s well used and reels really rough, and sloppy.  been sitting for a while now. Looks ok still.  I don’t remember it ever being serviced or cleaned... I am much fussier now with my newer gear.  So I’m now looking at a new mid-ish range shimano reel to make my son his first decent combo. My question is would you bother sending this old reel away to have it serviced up for this purpose?  Is it likely to perform half decent if a pro serviced it?   Obviously I can go buy a Sahara or Sedona or something that Which likely makes more sense... but there is a nostalgic value in the old reel and they seemed solid back then.  Is this a crazy idea?  The things you come up with stuck in isolation...

[garroyo130]

If you havent tried it before, this is the perfect chance to learn to service a reel yourself. The bearings are likely shot and will need to be replaced but its not rocket science. 

 

And based on my experience, all other things equal, cheaper old reels use higher quality material than cheaper new reels. 

[mrpao]

Keep the old reel on the shelf for memories.

Buy a new reel to use. Either a cheap shimano or cheap daiwa LT reel would be fine.

I picked up some cheap daiwa revros LT, legalis LT and regal LT for my kids to use.

If they get scratched and dirty- not an issue.

That way I can keep my nicer reels clean and scratch free.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Depends completely on the sentimental value. The cost of service and shipping exceeds replacement cost. 

[MN Fisher]

I have three old reels (40+ years), all three are usable, but I've retired them and they sit on a shelf for sentimental value. All ten of my current use reels are 3 years old or newer...half of them new this winter and never fished.

 

Put those older ones away - get the youngin' a new rig.

[Jaybert]

2 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Depends completely on the sentimental value. The cost of service and shipping exceeds replacement cost. 

Ok thank you.  If we forget the economicS of it for a second can these old reels be usually brought back to good functionality with a cleaning, new bearings, washers etc or is it a lost cause?  I know they are all going to be different but generally?  I sent my old stradic FE for service last year then put carbon washers in it myself.   It works awesome again and got me thinking on this one. But the stradic is a Couple years newer and better quality overall.  

[garroyo130]

Its likely still good. I have a 12 year old Bill Dance BPS reel which is bottom of the barrel that i still fish and maintain bc of sentimental value

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

21 minutes ago, Jaybert said:

Ok thank you.  If we forget the economicS of it for a second can these old reels be usually brought back to good functionality with a cleaning, new bearings, washers etc or is it a lost cause?  I know they are all going to be different but generally?  I sent my old stradic FE for service last year then put carbon washers in it myself.   It works awesome again and got me thinking on this one. But the stradic is a Couple years newer and better quality overall.  

Generally speaking deep cleaning and lubrication makes a world of difference. 

[Reel]

I would cost you about the same price to send it in for a lube and inspection or to buy a new one.  I would buy a new one and keep the old one for parts.  If it's sentimental value, use the old one after a basic cleanup and lube and the new one for parts.

[Fishes in trees]

Several different issues here.  You've upgraded to Stradics - so you ain't broke.  It could be that you're fiscally responsible, me I struggle with fiscal responsibility.  My advice will probably reflect that.   Issue #A - How responsible is the child with tools?   Some children can be trusted to use & take care of decent tools, others not so much.  Some children are responsible with THEIR tools, not so much with other folks tools.  You can decide if you get the child a decent mid-range rig or an entry level rig based on that.

Issue #B - Fix the old reel or not?   Me, I probably wouldn't.   I'd probably leave the reel on my desk, something to fiddle with.   If you need another reel for your fishing - get another reel.

[roadwarrior]

9 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Put those older ones away - get the youngin' a new rig.

 

[Guitarfish]

Learn how to tear it down and lube, or replace.  

 

I agree that it depends on the kid.  My son got slammed to the side of the boat by a shark when he was 5 or 6, wouldn't let go.  My daughter felt the tug of a blue gill, freaked and threw rod and reel in the lake.

[Jaybert]

He’s pretty responsible, no real concerns there.  He’s 11 so ready for a bit of a step up. I popped the side cover off the reel today.  Dirty and nasty in there for sure.  But I have the schematic, the 2 main bearings look to be available from boca and I have some spare carbon washers I believe the right size.  So I may take a crack at cleaning it up here and see if I can make something of it.   Nothing to loose really. Can still pick him up a new one and this will be a spare or at the very least a decent project while we are stuck inside.  Thanks guys

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Flush the bearings and give them a spin. They likely feel fine unless they’ve rusted or corroded. Just clean it out and lubricate it and you’ll be surprised. 

[Jaybert]

Not to get off topic too far but the Daiwa BG has had my attention if I go new.   Never had a daiwa. Nothing  against them just started shimano and never changed.  Are these a decent choice like some say they are?

1 minute ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Flush the bearings and give them a spin. They likely feel fine unless they’ve rusted or corroded. Just clean it out and lubricate it and you’ll be surprised. 

Awesome thanks so much!   I’d sent some of my nicer stuff to you for tuning but likely doesn’t work from Canada

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I’ve shipped to Mexico before, Canada is probably doable under normal circumstances but all bets are off right now. 

[Jaybert]

Got this old reel apart now.  I have the schematic and think I have a pretty good handle on how it works.  I can also see why it was not working well.. what a mess in there.   With regards to that, can I soak the internals in anything mainly the drive gear and pinion that is really a mess or just brush it and call it good?   Also this only has the one bearing and no surprise it doesn’t hardly spin.  Any recommendations on how to clean and lubricate that bearing. Or just go ahead and order a new one? Boat ramps here are closed in middle of our spring salmon run so this has been a good little distraction 

[NYWayfarer]

On 3/30/2020 at 10:30 PM, Jaybert said:

Ok so I have a Shimano Syncopate 2000 spinning reel. It was one of the first “decent” reels I bought back in the day In my teens. I’m thinkin 1997 or so. Retired it a while back and upgraded to the stradics I use now.  It’s well used and reels really rough, and sloppy.  been sitting for a while now. Looks ok still.  I don’t remember it ever being serviced or cleaned... I am much fussier now with my newer gear.  So I’m now looking at a new mid-ish range shimano reel to make my son his first decent combo. My question is would you bother sending this old reel away to have it serviced up for this purpose?  Is it likely to perform half decent if a pro serviced it?   Obviously I can go buy a Sahara or Sedona or something that Which likely makes more sense... but there is a nostalgic value in the old reel and they seemed solid back then.  Is this a crazy idea?  The things you come up with stuck in isolation...

I believe I have the same reel from the same year. Mine is a light blue pearl color. It’s long since been retired from my rotation of reels. 
 

It’s not a crazy idea but it is impractical. I doubt even if I serviced this old reel I would enjoy fishing it more than my newer ones. 

[garroyo130]

46 minutes ago, Jaybert said:

Any recommendations on how to clean and lubricate that bearing. Or just go ahead and order a new one?

Soak bearing in Brake Claner, MAF Cleaner, Acetone or whatever solvent you can find. 

If that doesnt free up the bearing, you may have to replace.

Bearings might be hard to come by (not sure who all is still open) so if you can't find someone, PM me with the size and I may be able to send one out to you free of charge if I have one lying around.  

[Jaybert]

On 4/5/2020 at 6:27 PM, garroyo130 said:

Soak bearing in Brake Claner, MAF Cleaner, Acetone or whatever solvent you can find. 

If that doesnt free up the bearing, you may have to replace.

Bearings might be hard to come by (not sure who all is still open) so if you can't find someone, PM me with the size and I may be able to send one out to you free of charge if I have one lying around.  

Awesome thank you!  Got an e mail from Boca Bearings today, 20% off for spring sale, so if I need one a new bearing appears available. even if it takes a while to arrive no rush really. But will keep it in mind thanks again.  

So looking at my schematic below the  bushing in the drive gear is a part #2293 the next generation syncopate used a bearing #930 on this position.  Same part# drive gear between the two generations.  Anyone have any experience with upgrading a bushing like that to a bearing?  Different side plate part # between the 2 generations but if the bushing and bearing where same dimensions it should work I am wondering?  The bushing has little tabs that nest into the side plate that a bearing wouldn’t have is only thing I wonder about.  Anyhow, long shot but thought Id ask. I know it won’t make much difference but I’m just playing with this project really at this point.   

[Spankey]

You have it apart. I'd buy the parts and rebuild it. It's great the parts are still available. I was easy to get apart, no? I've worked on many a few over the years. The rebuilds go ok. It's worth wild if you like like the reel.