Kirby 510 restoration in progress

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farmvet01

Active member
Joined
May 28, 2013
Messages
33
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to share some photos of the ongoing restoration of a Kirby 510 that I recently acquired from a friend.

farmvet01++7-1-2013-07-20-57.jpg
 
Photo #5

I have all new tan trim parts, but I will be painting those parts gray to stay true to the original color scheme. The wet sanding and machine buffing was A LOT of work, but it is proving to be worth it!

farmvet01++7-1-2013-07-28-17.jpg
 
By the way....

...I replaced the armature with a new one (part number 114960 is no longer available, but 114967 worked as recommended with no modification at all). I also replaced both front and rear bearings and the carbon brushes. I just did a test run of the motor yesterday afternoon and it sounds powerful and smooth!
 
Update on progress...

Here's grandmother (1950) and granddaughter (1991)! I'm working on painting the trim parts for the 510 right now. I just finished a complete refurbishment of the G3!

farmvet01++7-8-2013-15-24-51.jpg
 
Thank you....

I just finished painting the trim...will install it tomorrow. I will post updated pictures in the next day or two. I'll check out that website now.
 
Update...

Painted and installed the bumper trim pieces. Next...to paint the handle, wheels, and em-tor tray so that they match. I will also be visiting a local silk-screening business to get an estimate on putting the proper logo on a new black replacement bag.

farmvet01++7-9-2013-16-53-26.jpg
 
Thank you...

...so much for your kind words. It's a pleasure sharing something with others who have a similar interest!
 
Belt lifter logo...

...I painted the "Kirby" logo on the belt lifter using a light gray acrylic craft paint, then wet sanded it it sharpen the edges, giving it a nice, crisp quality. It turned out better than I expected. Tomorrow, I will clear coat it with an acrylic to make the whole lifter uniformly shiny.

farmvet01++7-21-2013-22-10-36.jpg
 
Looks great, I wish I could turn out work as good as that. I'd probably make it look worse than it started out as. I don't do well painting things.
 
That belt lifter even exceeds Kirby's rigid standards of perfection, and that's a tall order by no stretch of the imagination. If I was to rate it on a scale of one to ten it would be somewhere in the neighborhood of eleven, NO, a twelve and that's for sure! Bravo on a job which can only be described as nothing short of astounding!
 
Thanks...

...for the complements! I just want to share with those who have a common interest. It's rewarding! Next, I just picked up a model 508 this past weekend...it's already disassembled and I've begun to clean the parts prior to commencing wet sanding.

farmvet01++7-23-2013-22-16-39.jpg
 
You got yourself a really rare Kirby there! There's more 505's out there than the early 508's with the 505 tags, and the later 508 with the 510 style tag. You plucked on some heart strings, and so I'll have to show you a photo. I got this one in pretty rough shape, and it took quite a piece of work to get her looking as good as she does now. But, you as I both know it's well worth the toll and effort we put into it, and it pays rich dividends in doing so. Congratulations on a great find!

cb123++7-23-2013-22-37-53.jpg
 
Be careful with the belt lifter, it has only three thin copper flanges holding it. That defect was resolved with the model 509. Use a well worn belt and you should never have any problems, but don't use a new belt if you can help it.

cb123++7-23-2013-23-14-8.jpg
 
Beautifully....

...done 508! As for the belt lifter...even though the front logo is the correct script style for a 508, the back side looks in nicer shape than my 510 lifter, and visibly identical. What exactly did they modify with the 509 lifter? I should mention that this 508 has a Kirby rebuild tag dated 1969 and I'm thinking that it was updated or replaced at that time. But, thanks for the advice anyway. By the way, the motor on this machine was completely replaced in 1969 based on the stampings on the field and armature. On another note, why do you think the 508's are so relatively rare as you described?
 
There were a couple contributing factors which limited the numbers of the 508's. The first being it had an inferior riveted front bearing plate which was prone to shifting about. That of course wasn't conducive for it's undersized armature's overall health. Mind you that this all happened during a model change during a recession year. I think they were being just a little cheap, but they quickly resolved that issue with the later 508. I think it was one of Kirby's rare lemons; as from this model Kirby introduced its rebuild program to stave off any backlash - that would seem logical. The early 508 which I have is identical to a 505 with the only exception of the color scheme. There was not a whole lot produced, and so many to fell victim to the rebuild program, that to even find one is no small feat - especially one unaltered as the one I have pictured. Even on eBay I've seen rebuilt 508's go for good money, for there is so few of them and therefore are highly sot after. Your belt lifter is original to the later 508 and is of the heaver gauge. Even all that has been said you have yourself a very rare Kirby, and congratulations once more. Post pictures of your progress, because I'm sure it's going to be outstanding!
 

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