Hard to find Kirby parts

[vacmadman]

agree to disagree.

David,

If all Kirby's from 505 through 512 had the black handle grip they would hands down, be the most common grip out there. The grey 509 handle grips were made of the inferior metical you speak of (pictured) not the 505. The 510 was the first grey rubber handle grip. As I have said before almost nothing about the Kirby and what came with what was written in stone. You can always find exceptions to the rules.

Jim


[this post was last edited: 8/30/2023-12:20]

 

[odavid123]

Both the 508 and some of the early 509 gray handle was made of that material . I’m just stating facts . The introduction of the new rubber gray handle is mentioned in their literature as 1952 …

Here are some pics of a brand new 510 out of the box. That was posted online. The black handle is right there in the second image.
And all my 510,511 and early 512s have the black handle .

Hope this helps answer your question

 

[vacmadman]

David,

So based on these pictures and your comments, you're telling me that Kirby went from the black handle grip on the 505 to a grey handle grip, with the 508 and 509 then back to the black handle grip? Do I got that right??

I'm willing to bet that the way it went down was after the reports of the bad handle grips on the 508 and 509, Kirby went back to the black handle grip at the beginning of the 510 run and came out with the new rubber grey grip sometime during the 510 run. Meaning the early 510 came with the black grip and the last of the 510's came with the new grey rubber grip. Now that would make sense to me.

Kind of like the 515, the first to come out had the black hard rubber wheels and the last 515's to come off the assembly line had the new smooth grey plastic wheels. Also, the 505 itself is another great example of that with the interdiction of the belt lifter about one year into its run. Kirby was known to make changes in mid-stream.

Jim

Side note: What a fantastic 510 indeed!! Thats a wonderful find!![this post was last edited: 8/30/2023-14:41]

 

[odavid123]

With the Korean war underway the black 505 handle grip was used up until and for the majority of 1952.

A new gray rubber handle was only introduced in 1952 with Model 512 . I had a post about this on FB and another collector then posted the below to show that the Gray rubber handle didn’t come about until 1952 .
Please see attached
So the first time the gray rubber handle grip was used is with the 512 .

 

[vacmadman]

Nothing like a good debate (o:

David,

I will except what you're saying as fact, but Kirby is not the best record keeper to say the least. According to what I have "heard" to Kirby the 511 was never made, because of the Korean war, but we do know that's not true. I also again "believe" if that many black handles were made, we would be seeing more of them.

Kirby is still an education in process for me indeed. Keep up the good work David....Thanks.

Side note: I guess we all need to rethink the Kirby history here, funny how no one else has chimed in, but I think we have gathered a silent crowed....LOL!!

Jim

 

[odavid123]

Good debate indeed !

Jim.
We share the same passion for Kirbys wish we could go back in time ..
I appreciate all your input. it’s really great to be able to converse with people who share the same hobby as you .
Always in good spirit
David

 

[vacmadman]

Wow

David,

I just sat down to note that same thought! One thing you and I share in spades is a real passion for these Kirby's, and that's a good thing. Every one of them has their own unique history. Have a good night my friend.

Jim

 

[vacmadman]

505 hose and tools

I just got these parts today in picture 1, I do believe these are 505 tools picture 2 shows the hose and other parts I'm still waiting on, that are also from the 505. Ive ask our friend David to confirm that for me.

Jim

 

[odavid123]

Jim

Hi Jim.
To make sure I’m not mistaken I checked the box of a model 505 and a 3C .
The attachments in the first picture belong to a late C model like the 3C .
The 2nd model is consistent with a late model 505. Of course they are still interchangeable.

*Note that the gray small handle belongs to a later model .

 

[vacmadman]

Thanks!

David,

Thank you for checking on that for me. I will take more pictures when I get the other parts in hand. Every now and then you can still find these old parts but it always helps if you know what to look for. Thanks again David.

Jim

 

[odavid123]

Anytime Jim

Kirby R series came with an optional attachment case and cost $5.00 .
Kirby model R attachments picture below

 

[vacmadman]

second set

My second set of early Kirby tools are here. I also took pictures of three different handles as well. The hose is in great shape for as old as it is. I'm happy I found these old Kirby tools and hope to find more in the future. Pictures 6 and 7 show all the tools together.

Jim [this post was last edited: 9/16/2023-13:56]

 

[rowdy141]

Here in the UK, its impossible to find coloured mains flexes. No blue, no red, no green... Black and greys only.
Sometimes you can find white, but only by the spool. No plugs or moulded connectors.

 

[2011hoover700]

Can I see a picture of an original kirby 508 plug?
Thanks.