jh92 Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 Can anyone help me please, I'm trying to change the handle from the left side to the right on my Shimano biomaster xta reels, but I can't get it to work. For some reason the hole on the right side is smaller than the left, I've added some pictures below. Even if you take the plastic washer out that's sitting in the hole, it's still too small. Is it possible to take the reel apart and turn it around? Why can't anything be straight forward lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh92 Posted August 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 I can't edit the post for some reason but I've just read its not possible to swap anything around inside because the handle fits straight into the drive gear? Gutted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pooter Posted August 5, 2017 Report Share Posted August 5, 2017 It does seem odd that there is a facility to change handle sides but it's not practicable. I wonder if it's a defect from manufacture, you should contact Shimano and ask them what the story is. jh92 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chillfactor Posted August 5, 2017 Report Share Posted August 5, 2017 12 hours ago, jh92 said: I can't edit the post for some reason but I've just read its not possible to swap anything around inside because the handle fits straight into the drive gear? Gutted Nightmare.... the only thing i can think of doing if the handle section is long enough to pick up the drive gear from the other side would be to machine out the smaller diameter hole ? jh92 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh92 Posted August 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 On 05/08/2017 at 04:01, pooter said: It does seem odd that there is a facility to change handle sides but it's not practicable. I wonder if it's a defect from manufacture, you should contact Shimano and ask them what the story is. On 05/08/2017 at 08:43, chillfactor said: Nightmare.... the only thing i can think of doing if the handle section is long enough to pick up the drive gear from the other side would be to machine out the smaller diameter hole ? I'm gonna take them to the tackleshop and see if they can help, I don't really trust myself trying to change things lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh92 Posted August 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 Thought I'd update this, I've managed to get the handles on the other side. What I done was popped the plastic washer out, lined the handle up with the hole and wiggled it side to side with a lot of force. This made the opening bigger and it went through, I tightened it up and it all seems sound, nothing is catching or loose, so should be fine. Probably not the best/correct way to do it, but it worked lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smufter Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 I'm right handed and always have my reel handles on the left hand side. My brother in law is also right handed but prefers the handles on the right hand side!! Is he weird, or am I????? jh92 and ... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh92 Posted August 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 56 minutes ago, smufter said: I'm right handed and always have my reel handles on the left hand side. My brother in law is also right handed but prefers the handles on the right hand side!! Is he weird, or am I????? I don't know mate, I'm left handed but when I was younger I would use the handle on the left but would have fish landed for me, but as I got older and started fishing on my own I found it easier playing and landing with with the handles on the right lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finchey Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, smufter said: I'm right handed and always have my reel handles on the left hand side. My brother in law is also right handed but prefers the handles on the right hand side!! Is he weird, or am I????? Sounds like your brother in law is fishing left handed. Now I'm left handed and I fish with handles on left, which is right handed style. So it's not just me that's weird. Edited August 28, 2017 by finchey Missing word. jh92 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smufter Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 It was amusing watching him at first. He was having to hold the rod upside down to crank the handle.... Got it sorted in the end but I couldn't figure out why he was more comfortable with it on the other side. jh92 and finchey 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh92 Posted August 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 4 hours ago, finchey said: Sounds like your brother in law is fishing left handed. Now I'm left handed and I fish with handles on left, which is right handed style. So it's not just me that's weird. Do you cast with the reel seat in your left or right hand? I found when I was using the handles on the left, I would still have to cast with the reel seat in my left hand lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finchey Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 (edited) 59 minutes ago, jh92 said: Do you cast with the reel seat in your left or right hand? I found when I was using the handles on the left, I would still have to cast with the reel seat in my left hand lol I cast with reel seat in my right hand. I am a full lefty. Funny thing is a play the odd game of pitch and putt or crazy golf with the kids and I play that right handed as well. How weird am I. Edited August 28, 2017 by finchey Spelling mistake jh92 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salokcinnodrog Posted September 2, 2017 Report Share Posted September 2, 2017 On 28 August 2017 at 06:51, jh92 said: Thought I'd update this, I've managed to get the handles on the other side. What I done was popped the plastic washer out, lined the handle up with the hole and wiggled it side to side with a lot of force. This made the opening bigger and it went through, I tightened it up and it all seems sound, nothing is catching or loose, so should be fine. Probably not the best/correct way to do it, but it worked lol I think that is the correct way to do it. I'm right handed, and have always used fixed spools with the handles on the left. For multipliers I have the handle on the right, and on top of the rod for sea, spinning or pike fishing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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