Lews BB1NG

Repair & Maintenance Guide: Lew’s Speed Spool BB1NG (Vintage)

The Lew’s BB1NG is a premier artifact from the "Graphite" era of the late 1980s. In the vintage Lew’s nomenclature, the N stands for the Narrow Spool configuration—widely considered the gold standard for pitching accuracy—and the G indicates the Graphite-reinforced side plates. While the side plates saved weight, the core of this reel remains a one-piece die-cast aluminum frame with heavy-duty brass internals.

If your BB1NG feels sluggish or makes a rhythmic clicking that sounds more like a grandfather clock than a fishing reel, you are likely dealing with "geological grease"—original lubricant that has spent three decades hardening into a waxy resin. Here is how to restore it.

Tools and Preparation

• Tools: 10mm nut driver (handle nut), precision Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, and fine-point tweezers.

• Cleaning: 90%+ Isopropyl alcohol and a stiff toothbrush.

• Lubrication: High-quality synthetic reel grease (gears) and low-viscosity oil (bearings).

• Safety: Work on a white towel. These vintage reels contain tiny "clicker" pins and springs that are mathematically certain to attempt an escape into your carpet.

Step 1: External Disassembly

1. Handle Removal: Remove the screw from the handle nut retainer. Use your 10mm driver to remove the handle nut (Counter-Clockwise to loosen on this right-hand model). Pull off the handle and the star drag.

2. Star Drag Stack: Beneath the star, you will find the Belleville (Spring) Washers.

   The Critical Rule: For the drag to function with its full range of pressure, these must be reinstalled in an opposing orientation (). If you stack them "nested" ((, you will have almost no drag adjustment range and the reel will feel "locked."

3. Side Plate Access: On the BB1NG, the palm-side plate is secured by three screws. Remove them and pull the plate away.

Step 2: The Narrow Spool and Centrifugal Brakes

1. Extract the Spool: Because this is the Narrow (N) model, the spool is slim. Pull it out straight; the long spool shaft is high-quality steel but can be bent if you pull it at a sharp angle.

2. Brake Weights: This reel uses a classic 2-pin centrifugal brake system.

   • Inspection: Check the two plastic collars (weights) on the spool shaft. If they are cracked or missing, the reel will be almost impossible to cast without backlashing.

   • The Hub: Clean the metal friction ring inside the side plate with alcohol.

   • The Silence Fix: If the reel "screeches" during a cast, the ring is bone-dry. Wipe a microscopic film of oil onto the ring with a cotton swab to dampen the vibration.

Step 3: Accessing the "G-Series" Internals

1. Opening the Housing: Remove the three screws from the gear-side plate.

   • Warning: Because the G series uses graphite side plates, do not over-torque the screws upon reassembly. Graphite is more prone to stripping or cracking than aluminum if you "gorilla-tighten" the housing.

2. The Main Gear: You will find a Heavy-Duty Solid Brass Main Gear.

   • Cleaning: Scrub the gear teeth with alcohol and a toothbrush. You must remove every trace of fossilized grease from the "valleys" of the teeth to restore smoothness.

   • The Drag: This reel uses a multi-disc drag system. These vintage washers are best run completely dry. If they are soaked in oil, the drag will "stutter" or fail to lock down properly.

3. The Anti-Reverse "Dog": This model utilizes a mechanical anti-reverse pawl (the dog) rather than a modern silent roller bearing.

   • The Golden Rule: Apply one drop of oil to the pawl. Never grease this part. Grease causes the pawl to "float" or stick, which results in the handle spinning backward when you try to set the hook.

Step 4: Lubrication and Reassembly

1. Gears: Apply a moderate coat of synthetic grease to the teeth of the main gear and pinion gear. You don't need to pack the entire gearbox—just ensure the teeth are well-coated.

2. Bearings: Flush the vintage bearings with alcohol, dry them, and apply one drop of thin oil. If they remain noisy after cleaning, they are likely pitted and should be replaced with standard 3x10x4mm bearings.

3. Worm Gear (Level Wind): This is the most exposed part of the reel. Clean it thoroughly and apply a light coat of grease. If the line stacks to one side of the narrow spool, check the Pawl (the small tooth inside the line guide) for wear.

BB1NG Technical Summary & Specs

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Handle "Back-Slap": If the handle moves backward before stopping, the mechanical dog is gummed up with old grease. Flush the gearbox with alcohol and re-oil the pawl.

• Vibration on Retrieve: This usually indicates a dry pinion gear. Ensure the Pinion Yoke Springs (the two small coil springs) are seated correctly.

• Loss of Free-Spool: On the narrow spool, check the Tension Knob Shim. If the copper shim inside the knob has a deep pit from the spool shaft, flip the shim over or replace it to restore the "centering" of the spool.