Kirby 505

[lesinutah]

Hey everyone
Awhile ago I posted I found 505 on Craigslist. I paid shipping and a little extra for shipping.
I opened the box true euphoria dream like moment. Original everything. It's much different than 508. It is like cast molding with aluminum. It just different. It has pop off belt insert instead of magic finger. Wiring is all covered with conduit. Handle is plastic like molded plastic. Wheels have washers on outside of wheels behind screws. Wow still in shock

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Lesinutah

Les,

Congratulations! I see what you have is the first issue with the cover plate (before mid-1946), meaning to change the belt you'd be doing so just as if you had a Royal metal upright: use a flathead screwdriver as a pry bar to get it on/off.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

More

The motor turns on but bearings need greased. The latch spring needs replaced. I might put a new belt and brush and led light.
The metal is alot harder to polish than the 508 and 510. Im doing by hand to not ruin any trim.

 

[lesinutah]

Ben

Thanks I got the belt off and I've installed a few royal belts. It's cracked but I know new ones are tight I'll find my knurled belts. The bag on emptor has white calcified on it. Just using tooth brush until it comes off since I'm not taking bag off ever since I'm not tearing or ripping bag. Kids gloves and brains. This is my dream vacuum it's like a 1963 split window corvette. You just can't replace it.

 

[bikerray]

DO NOT USE A KNURLED BELT on a Kirby 505 unless you want to destroy the bearings !!!!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Lesinutah

Les,

As Ray pointed out, you may want to instead use the Kirby 159056 belt or the Royal 1-044260-001 belt.

~Ben

 

[texaskirbyguy]

WOW - what a find! Nice to see one in original condition, unlike my Johnny Cash creation. If you need any advice, feel free to holler at me since I had mine torn down and restored (though not period correct cosmetically.)

Could you do me a big favor and measure the diameter of the front and rear wheels? They look larger than mine and want to know if they really are. THANKS!

 

[lesinutah]

Texas kirby vuy

Hey
The wheels are all 1 in wide.
My theory is balance is off moving any direction other than back and forth to get beftter balance with bigger wheels
On base k wheels wide tires would hit d
Emptor.

 

[kenkart]

I like

The narrow wheels much better personally...But I hate anything newer than about 1970!!!

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Thanks, but how about the diameter of the black 505 wheels? Not the width.
Thanks!

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I'll post diameter in less than a hour when I get home. The wheels in front and back are the same dimensions. I am guessing wheels on 505 will be different Diameter than sanatronics wheels. The black seem to be a mold dating to vacuette. If you notice Grey red green everything up to d80 in 1969 all wheels had rings smaller and smaller to center.

 

[lesinutah]

Texas kirby guy

The eyeball test looks like back are bigger but photo shows same diameter but not the same mold front and back wheels design is different.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Lesinutah

Many thanks my friend.
Those are the same diameter as most the other Kirby wheels. On my 505 the rear wheels are from a 51x and the fronts from a Classic III. Even with the adjuster raised up all the way it is hard to put the nozzle on so I was thinking the 505 wheels may have been larger. Thanks for proving my thought wrong; I have another issue then.
Enjoy that 505 - I love using mine even despite it not being the correct colors!

 

[lesinutah]

Texas kirby guy

Hey
Do you have the right front axle 3cb wheels go on a 16 inch brush nozzle. The front brackets on d50 and new are rounded when the axle flexes is believe. Before d50 they are Flat. The screw in toe touch could be a different size. Back wheel shaft might be wrong size. Even toe touch could be a problem. Im pretty sure you know all this plus some just throwing it out there. Your 505 is sweet you restored it very nicely. I hope mine to have shine yours has. Besides how many people have a 505.
Thanks les