Level wind or no level wind

[dinglecodcatcher]

Hi I've recently move from fixed spool reels onto 2 Abu 6500s I've been using these and castin fine and getting about 90yds, but recently I was talking to an angler who advised me to get rid of the level winds on them, I was just after some advice on whether I shud remove these or not and would removing them result in birdnests occurring?

Cheers Ian

[Big Kev]

Removing them won`t result in birdies,but it will weaken the reel cage so you have to get a conversion done. i.e a bar fitted to maintain the strength. Casting is much better without the level wind as you can get your thumb right over the spool for a better grip when putting the power in...also the lack of friction will add a few yards and you don`t have your leader knot twanging through the eye of the winder.

[dinglecodcatcher]

Removing them won`t result in birdies,but it will weaken the reel cage so you have to get a conversion done. i.e a bar fitted to maintain the strength. Casting is much better without the level wind as you can get your thumb right over the spool for a better grip when putting the power in...also the lack of friction will add a few yards and you don`t have your leader knot twanging through the eye of the winder.

Where do you get the conversion kits from kev and how hard are they to fit?

[Steve Duffy]

Removing them won`t result in birdies,but it will weaken the reel cage so you have to get a conversion done. i.e a bar fitted to maintain the strength. Casting is much better without the level wind as you can get your thumb right over the spool for a better grip when putting the power in...also the lack of friction will add a few yards and you don`t have your leader knot twanging through the eye of the winder.

Where do you get the conversion kits from kev and how hard are they to fit?

If its an Abu,get in touch with Pete Coogan. 01516773609. He will fit a new cage for you.

[dinglecodcatcher]

Removing them won`t result in birdies,but it will weaken the reel cage so you have to get a conversion done. i.e a bar fitted to maintain the strength. Casting is much better without the level wind as you can get your thumb right over the spool for a better grip when putting the power in...also the lack of friction will add a few yards and you don`t have your leader knot twanging through the eye of the winder.

Where do you get the conversion kits from kev and how hard are they to fit?

If its an Abu,get in touch with Pete Coogan. 01516773609. He will fit a new cage for you.

ok, cheers steve, u know how much he charges?

[Steve Duffy]

Ask him.

[Tight Lines]

If you take out the "spreader" thingy (like a big needle eye) and remove the cog you can leave the cross-bar and worm gear in place and it won`t weaken the cage.

I reckon 6500s will twist anyway if you keep "winding" in heavy fish, clumps of weed or snags instead of "pumping" line with the rod.

[spudgun]

Removing them won`t result in birdies,but it will weaken the reel cage so you have to get a conversion done. i.e a bar fitted to maintain the strength.

I don't think this is true. It's not attached to the cage rigidly enough to help strengthen the cage. However it's worth replacing the level wind bar with a conversion bar to cover the holes in the cage to stop sand/dirt getting into the reel:



http://www.stripersonline.com/t/679413/ ... -to-non-lw

Or just stick some tape over the holes.

Or you could just swap the cage with a CT (non level wind) version. Get one from pete for about £25.

Once you've taken the level wind off you'll find the spool runs much faster so you may start getting birdies if you're not used to it. But you can always set more centrifugal brake blocks on. (you have to take the end plate off and click the plastic brake blocks out)

Something like this:

[sparky]

I converted my 6500's years ago with a "Dave Dowcra" strengthening bar Unfortunately Dave is no longer trading, but With your engineering skills jon I can let you have one to copy and see how they go.

[dinglecodcatcher]

Thanks for the info lads but I don't fancy taking them apart, I'd never get 1 back together again

[Steve Duffy]

Thanks for the info lads but I don't fancy taking them apart, I'd never get 1 back together again

Its eeasy peeasy.

[Big Kev]

If you take out the "spreader" thingy (like a big needle eye) and remove the cog you can leave the cross-bar and worm gear in place and it won`t weaken the cage..

But it will get in the way....you can`t get your thumb around the spool

[Steve Duffy]

If you take out the "spreader" thingy (like a big needle eye) and remove the cog you can leave the cross-bar and worm gear in place and it won`t weaken the cage..

But it will get in the way....you can`t get your thumb around the spool

Is the right answer.

[dinglecodcatcher]

Thanks for the info lads but I don't fancy taking them apart, I'd never get 1 back together again

Its eeasy peeasy.

It is for some people steve, but I'm not very mechanically minded, ive took things apart before and that was the end of it, could never remember where I'd taken the bits from

[Tight Lines]

If you take out the "spreader" thingy (like a big needle eye) and remove the cog you can leave the cross-bar and worm gear in place and it won`t weaken the cage..

But it will get in the way....you can`t get your thumb around the spool

Is the right answer.

But it`s a start.

I did it with my two ABU7000s many years ago, piece of cake .
After a while I removed the worm gear and cross bar as well cos they got in the way (like Kev said).
Yes, the frame did twist, but it took twenty years to do it

Reels are cheap nowadays