myfly, you said you wished your 1492 reels were left-handed.
I have solved that with some help from a machinist friend of mine. I have two 1492 1/2 reels (CJ on left and AK on right) that have never had a line on them. Like you, I like left hand wind. I asked my machinist friend to drill some holes in the frame that would allow me to move the line guard to the other side allowing left-hand retrieve (even though the drag is backwards...but that doesn't bother me as I always fished my 1494 DA backwards after moving the line guard to the other side so I could wind with the left hand). He drilled the holes on each reel for me. I had a spare line guard and installed it on the CJ reel on the left. One could go on the AK reel also.
I am not using these right now and if you would like the AK, which is new in box with the addition of the holes, I'll send it to you for $40 plus $10 shipping. Actually with the 1292 1/2 there is really not much difference in feel going forwards or backwards. You can try it with yours to see if it would work for you.