Help with Kirby model

[gabowenjr]

I recently bought this at an antique store. It was the owners mother's who had it rebuilt by Kirby. She then went into a retirement home afterwards and used it for a month before. It's shows little to no use on it. When I opened up the emptor there was aittle dust coating. The lady has had it at her store for over a year trying to
it and I asked how long her mom has been in a home and she stated she went in 1995 and has since died. What i am trying to figure out is what is original on it, what is not. What it will need to make it original. It does have a rebuild placard but I cannot read anything on it. The model does say 514 but I cannot make out anything else. It does have a plastic gray fan so I assume that it had to be rebuilt sometime in the 90's. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[hoover300]

Wow!

Rare to see a ChicagoMike rebuild out in the wild! That is clearly either his work, or someone he worked with. The bag is a beautiful replica of the original, and the only thing that could make it look better is a period belt lifter with embossed lettering.
Great find!

 

[gabowenjr]

Is there a way I could find out about the machine to see who rebuilt it I wonder. How can I tell if the bag is repo or original? It's super fluffy crushed velvet has red cording on the top front. Is there like a sticker or a patch somewhere, something I can look for. Here are some close ups of the bag.

 

[hoover300]

I'm almost positive it was done by Mike Balda in Wisconsin. That bag, the amazing polish quality, as well as the later belt lifter(something he does) says yes it was him. He doesn't really post here anymore, but search the archives for ChicagoMike.
The bag is a screen print like on a t shirt, it looks exactly like his bags.

 

[hoover300]

Replica or original - The original was a lighter grey and had a different method of logo application, and the logos are known for flaking off of the originals. It is a replica, but just about the best one you could ever want.

 

[gabowenjr]

Perfect thank you guys. I wish the lady had told me the truth but either way I am happy the way it looks and run.

 

[suckolux]

Beautiful!!!

 

[hoover300]

It may have been rebuilt by Kirby at some point, but they tend to put ugly, non original trim on it. He custom painted red and grey trim to match the original and made it look even better.

 

[lesinutah]

It

Was rebuilt by Kirby. Mike rebuilt it in the last 10 years. His rebuilds are second to none. I do contact him from time to time.
He is making the t-shirts for the vacuum cleaner convention in Missouri.
I'd keep it tucked away and use it eventually but nobody does it nicer.

 

[gabowenjr]

Yes it is a beautiful machine and shape and for the 32 dollars I gave for it, I think it's a pretty good find. I think I will hold onto it for awhile and then probably put it on ebay when I need to raise some money for another project.

 

[vacmadman]

very nice

You have a very nice 514. Mike's bags are no longer sold and originally sold for $150.00, so you got a great deal on this. The only thing that would make it better, is if it had the original ID tag, and a set of the Kirby black wheels. As stated above you will not find a better looking bag outside of an original.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

GabOwenJr

What you have is a model 514 that was originally produced in 1954. It was the first machine to have the revised handle fork and, later on, the longer (1-3/8") adjusting screws for the brush roll.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 9/1/2021-10:02]

 

[dysonman1]

I know Mike Balda well. He'll be attending the Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Convention later this month. I'll be sure to ask him about it.

My guess would be that's how it came back from Kirby in 1995.

 

[lesinutah]

Better?

Mike may not be out of bags. He may be tired of people tattle telling on him because he doesn't answer them. I'm going with the later as I talked to him about acouple instances.
I would rather have Mike restore a vacuum than Kirby.
If you're the owner his vacuums sold low end $÷50. He sold am vacuum convention blue ribbon 505 I want to say $1600<$1750.
He has some many tricks of the trade and a knowledge of Kirby production. I know maybe 2 people with similar knowledge. In my opinion of the 3 with the knowledge his work is the best.
I'd like to think I could do them at the same level but even if I could it would be one where he has hundreds. I'm not saying Im Amazing I'm saying he's proven commodity. He spend a lot money on Kirby items.
He's a really cool guy and super helpful.
He's taught me a few tricks polishing among other things.

 

[vacmadman]

Yes better

I talked to Mike he told me that he needs to make more bags. He said be bought some springs which is the first step in making new bags. It would be great to see more of Mike's bags up for sale again....I could use some. The 514 came with the Kirby black wheels, not the grey plastic wheels. It's also always better to have the original ID tag...just saying.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Mike is about the best there is

for restoring, bags,shirts, etc. Of course, there's the great Marty Kaplan, too. Mike will be featured in the VCCC newsletter this time, too. He restored a Hoover 28 back to off the line perfection. He's made a few things for me. I'll have him do a few more too.
[this post was last edited: 9/3/2021-11:46]