Clutch of an ABU 501 closed face

[Tinca Tinca]

Hi,
is this welled washer inside or outside the handle?
On my 506 it is missing and the reel only runs completely free and smooth when
the drag is nearly completely closed.Possible that is because of missing this washer?

Out of a leaflet from 1981 I found out that the handle of the 501 is turning backwards while
fighting a fish .That seems to be normal...for backwinding while fighting.

Thank you for the exploded picture that I hadnot yet..

[PerchBasher]

When the 501 came out, Abu had cottoned to the fact that many anglers had removed the anti-reverse dog in order to play fish on the backwind,

The 501 has no anti-reverse so you can play fish on the back wind as standard. However the knob on the handle allows you to adjust the tension, meaning this fish runs under some pressure.

Nice little reels the 501s

[RightCharlie]

Tinca,
Not all 506's had that washer, it was introduced to allow better adjustment for use of finer lines. If you want one try Les Shaw (link further back) If that doesn't improve things replace the clutch plate 9008, they are often worn out, the reels been of an age!
The 501 still needs the anti revers pawl for its clutch to work correctly and allow backwind under a pressure.
Ian

[SeanM]

Interesting information chaps! I'm going to have to strip my 501 and examine its internals.