A MS member custom build

I absolutely love the way this guy turned out, more chrome than a '52 Packard. This was a ground-up build, all new parts and no donor reels involved. New old stock Royal 4500 side plates, CS Pro Rocket chrome frame, stainless steel main gear, hardened bronze pinion gear, stainless drag discs, Carbontex drag washers, double bearing idler gear, Boca Lightning spool bearings, straight cut chrome star wheel with a chrome 80mm handle to match, lightweight spool, lightweight line guide, and all of the contact points polished. This guy is built to last and will handle most anything our state has to offer. I think this is my most favorite reel I've assembled, the look of it is out of this world.

 

Here's the other side.

 

One thing I will add, the stainless main gear is a noisy little bugger. It's super smooth, but due to the hardness of the material it sounds like you're reeling with a Muncie rock crusher

 

Then some cutting compound, a buff, and wax afterward lol

 

My uncle was an avid fisherman and had quite a bit of nice tackle. He passed away 15 years ago and my aunt had myself and my cousin split his fishing gear. He had a few Ambassadeurs and they were a reel I always fancied so I was immediately hooked. They appeared to be a little crunchy and I figured I'd try my hand at resurrecting them. I discovered the reel manufacturers post their schematics online and decided to give it a shot. It has been a lot of fun and lead me down a black hole of sorts. I did work for friends on occasion over the years, but over the last couple of years I've been taking on whatever I can get. It's like meditation for me, sitting there with some grungy reel that would otherwise get thrown away and making it work better than new.

 

Have you tried the red 4500 I sold to Chris? I love how that turned out too. This 5500 has a few more tricks up it's sleeve than the 4500 lol. On a long enough rod casting sufficient weight, 100yd isn't out of the question.