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beauty She's a beauty! And 3.5amp?! I thought these motors were either 3amp or 4amp. My 514 is 4amp.

What are folks' thoughts on reconditioning vs replacing gaskets, seals, etc.? I've typically replaced but on some models it's hard to get replacements, usually because the gasket / seal sizes aren't made anymore, and even sources that say "will fit" actually need manhandling into place...

Santronic wow, that Santronic price is just :O There's fans of that vintage Kirby, like me :). It's one of the last models before Kirby's front beater bar got huge (with the Tradition if I remember right, which I don't use my Tradition because it's just too dang huge.) But that is still...

Good, I may have a bearing for this model already in storage so I'll try that 1st. ty

My old Kirby 561 started making a whistling sound on 1st start up. The whistle goes away after a few seconds. What would cause this sound? My uninformed guess is a bad bearing or something needs lube/grease ... I've searched Youtube vids of vintage vacs but not found anyone talking about...

flippers Yea, it'd expect something more for that $ eBay & Craigs & auction folks want to make $. I've no problem with making $ off flipping a garage sale find. Yea I understand they drive around all day looking and this is their income. But they gotta offer me as the buyer something for...

thx Les Just ordered some of those. I didn't know they "just fit". Thx Les.

P.S. P.S. I am using Kirby's suds when testing.

What kind of filters work for the inlet & outlet ports of the Kirby shampooer / carpet cleaner? My Tradition has the original outlet filter, and it looks to be a simple, single ply woven fabric. But the original inlet filter disentengrated in the box, and it looked to be some foam material. I...

huh? I don't know what "Duse" is but if you mean a linoleum manufacturer could make it look like wood or anything, then sure. My bigger point is these floors are different: many people see a retro looking floor -- like checkerboard layout, or Grandma's pastel kitchen floor -- and assume it's...

linoleum or vinyl? Are you sure the floor isn't vinyl? I've never heard of wood looking linoleum. We installed linoleum in a previous house. It's hard to find. If I remember right, there were only to manufacturers in the US left who still make it with linseed oil. You'll know because it has...

conversion done & bagged! The conversion is done and 561 is now running w/ bag! Here's what I did: A. grab Tradition ($10) B. buy Heritage 1 top fill adapter ($10)* C. get right-sized plumbing reducers from local hardware ($15) 1. remove Tradition Emptor w/ fill tube assembly 2. remove...

well bummer Well bummer. Maybe I only rescued a Tradition instead of converting my 561. Hah! Heritage 2s around here are listed by folks at $50 or more. And the bag tube fill assembly is now $30 on eBay. Compare that to $10 for the Tradition and $10 for the top fill adapter that I already...

cloth fill tube Ben, Your detailed note proved useful. The H1 did have a cloth fill tube ... defeated my purpose in buying it :/ So I grabbed the Tradition because ... Well it was $10, wasn't missing the beater head, beautiful blue color, and had plastic fill tube. Now to figure out a...

Style 2 paper This Heritage has the Style 2. I unzipped & checked the paper bag that was still attached to it in the store. So it sounds like the adapter that I linked to is the "Style 3" that will fit the Heritage I's fill tube?

If I want to convert the older, Heritage I to newer bags (S type?), is the only thing I need the bag adapter? So something like in the Ebay link below? I've read through forums here but want to double check if I need other parts too. There's a Heritage I at the local Habitat 4 Humanity whose...

good points Jon You make several good points. Everytime I read about HEPA (and MERV for HVAC), all the experts say: leak, leaks, leaky Doesn't matter what bag / cannister is used if the machine leaks. Your description of the Kenmore reminds me of my Grandpa's old canister vac. We could...

bigger things to worry about ... There's bigger things to worry about than vacuuming with HEPA. Combustion stuff in the house is a big thing. Wonder why gas furnances & water heaters are required by most codes to vent outdoors now? CO and other nasty stuff used to just waft around as fumes...

Hmmm, mmhmm Hey Les, I was leaning towards the direction you're taking. - fan = I visually checked both fans and there's no damaage, so I'm going to keep them; and understand it's a safety issue but I use a shop vac to suck up large objects that could cause damage, or I use my hands to...

following up @texaskirbyguy - I read through your thread on 505 restoration. That is a very thorough job that you documented, wow! Your 505 looks stellar, and I like the red (even if not stock original). Looks like I have my work cut out for me to service the motor. I'll probably want to...