Hard to find Kirby parts

[vacmadman]

I don't mind spending a little money to buy extra hard to find Kirby parts. I now have a good original 510 bag to put on my 510.

What would you say are the most difficult parts to find when restoring an old vacuum?

 

[lesinutah]

The

Bag topper on kirby 505
508-512 bag in good shape
505 handle
505 bag.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

VacMadMan

Jim,

I am with you when it comes to finding unique parts to some of our favorite vacuums. What an awesome score you got for your 510!

In my case, I believe the rarest Kirby parts of all are:
* The black trim used on models 2C to 505.
* The gray headlight bumper and nozzle bumper used on models 508 to 512.
* The 13" double bristle brush roll (as used on the COMVAC 1300 and the 13" nozzle versions of the Heritage/84 1-HD and the Heritage II/Legend and Legend II 2-HD).
* The 18" brush roll used on the Janitronic, the American Lincoln Super-Sweep and the Super-Vac 180.
* The top-mounted speed switch and headlight lock button, as used on the very first Kirby Tradition 3-CBs.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 4/22/2023-18:53]

 

[vacmadman]

Original bags and cords

Here is my 510 with her new-old original bag. Thanks Les, and Ben, for your feedback. I think overall the hardest parts to find for older vacuums are the original bags. I still need to find bags like this one for my 509, 511, and 512.

The original cords can also be a challenge to find. Most of the older Kirby's I've seen have Beldin replacement cords. To me if you don't have an original cord the Beldin replacement cords are the next best thing.

Jim

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

VacMadMan

Jim,

I do agree with you in that area, regarding the original black cords with their lozenge-shaped male plugs.

And I also believe that the next best thing for these black-trimmed Kirbys (and also the early gray trimmed ones, 508 to 512) is to use the gray and red trim that Kirby used to rebuild these machines during the mid 1950s to early 1970s, such as what was the case of this model 3C.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Jim

What are the name of the rivets you use. I had 2 and the rest are pop rivets.

 

[huskyvacs]

Body panels, wheels, and bags.

 

[gmkubancsek]

Sharing here - the rivets used by Kirby are known as blind or tubular rivets and use a bench top press in a majority of cases. I have seen hand versions - I am currently looking for a device to install bumpers and nozzle / light cap trim.

I am looking for a bag for a 505- a reproduction with Kirby logo is fine, an OEM bag is welcome. they seem very hard to find.

 

[vacmadman]

Kirby rivets

Les,

I bought these from Kirbyfans or Kirbyneeds. I bought the last ones they had and they have not reordered them as of yet. Maybe if you call and ask they might reorder some...Original Kirby Rivets for vintage headlight trim and nozzle bumper, 4/Pk. 1545A.

Update: I just got off the phone with Kent's wife Yolanda and she said she would look into getting more of the Rivets and also some of the early brush roll adjustment screws. She said she would call me to let me know when and if she gets them.

Jim
[this post was last edited: 4/24/2023-10:46]

 

[bnsd60m9200]

specifically for kirby, original bags, cords, bumper trim and decals. for most other brands its completely different items that are hard to find. with hoover its cords, vinyl jackets and attachments and attachment hoses. with other brands its outer bags, cords, and brushrolls and belts.

 

[lesinutah]

Sweet

Thanks for the help on the rivets

 

[vacmadman]

your welcome

Les,

Yolanda just sent me a text letting me know she ordered the rivets and roller bush adjustment screws. She said she would call me when she gets them in stock. It could take a month or so to get them.

Jim

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

I may call her but it's good she's still doing some kirby sales.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Jim,

Also rare was the very first 508 bag that looked like it was for the 505, only it was in gray and it had silver stripes.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

You

Mean the whitish duvetynne bag adam mercer has.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

VacMadMan

Hi Jim,

I am not sure if you are aware of this, but the gray plastic handle grip cover did not first show up until midway into the 512 run.

Hence, models 508, 509, 510 and 511 may have had primarily gray trim, but all have had the 505's black grip originally throughout their run.

The very first 512s that had the earlier black grips from the factory also had a gray-painted composite front axle, because of material shortages related to the Korean War.

That is information according to David O. (odavid123)

~Ben[this post was last edited: 8/19/2023-21:32]

 

[odavid123]

Great find Jim!
For me the hardest cosmetic parts to find are :
-Bags ! Especially early model C , 508 , 509-512 that are not yellow .
-Bumper trim in black and dark gray for the early 500 series
-Gray handle grip ( ornate) that came with the 508 and early 509.
-Original cords for C-513
- C brass belt cover 1C first Bakelite cover , 1C-505 later belt cover

But I strongly agree bags are the hardest to come by

Ben , thanks for the shout out .

 

[vacmadman]

Kirby handle grips

Ben,

I grew up working in my dad's vacuum shops seeing a lot of Kirby's come and go. Having said that, I never had or remember seeing the 505 black handle grips. I did however remember seeing many grey handle grips on 510's 511's and so on.

If the handle grips on these Kirby's had all been black like the 505, then why are they so hard to find? This fact alone makes me question that statement. If all 509's 510's and so on came with them there would be many more then the grey handles, we see today. Again, based on that fact alone it just doesn't hold water.

Jim

 

[odavid123]

It’s bc the material they were made from was prone to degrading and breaking apart . The gray rubber handle was only introduced at the end of the 512 production . I’ve seen new sealed in boxes units and own a couple that all had the black handle grip . 508 and early 509 still had the gray ornate handle.