Kirby 561

[stunnerable]

Question.. My handle grip seems a few shades less red and more brown than the rest of the trim on my Kirby. Is this from fading or do I in fact have the incorrect handle?

 

[stunnerable]

and another angle.

 

[electrolux~137]

Yeah, I've seen a few Kirby handles like that -- it appears to have gotten faded from exposure to sunlight. It's originally a rich, dark-red color.

Beautiful bag btw!!

 

[stunnerable]

Looking at the pics it looks different. Not the cord looks off. IDK.. any help would be great.

 

[stunnerable]

Thanks.. I searched far and wide for that bag. I need a new front cover and a few odds and ends then it will be ready for the polisher.

 

[electrolux~137]

That is a replacement cord -- the original has darker red plugs, almost maroon, and the wall plug has the Kirby logo on it. And it's 32 feet long.

 

[stunnerable]

Any idea where I can find one??

 

[electrolux~137]

heheh... good luck! Ever hear the phrase "as scarce as hens' teeth"?! If those cords are not gently and lovingly used, the plugs short out and people get new ones or put replacement plugs on them. It's very hard to find an original gray and red cord anymore.

Not too long ago, someone listed one of those cords on eBay -- just the cord -- I don't remember exactly how high it went but it was well over a hundred dollars.

 

[stunnerable]

hummm.. Well, I have enough time so I will try to find one. I found the bag and I never thought I would find one in that condition. So hopefully I strike gold twice.

Do you know if I could purchase the ends from Kirby and buy new gray cord and have it made? Just curious.

Thanks for the help!

 

[vac-o-matic]

I have the same cord on my 561, maybe at some point they didn't put the logo on the plug?? It seems odd that an aftermarket manufacturer would make a cord with the red ends, but who knows?

 

[tolivac]

At one time Belden Wire and Cable made the cords for Kirbys and some other vacuums.

 

[electrolux~137]

Yes, in fact Belden made Kirby cords for many years, starting with the Model 505 which had a black rubber cord. Belden made cords for Kirby until at least the Classic III. Not being very knowledgeable about Kirbys after that, I don't know who made the cords for their later models.

Belden also made cords for Electrolux starting with the XXX and continuing up through the early turquoise G in the automatic models and the L in the budget models as well as the B7 and B8 floor/rug machines.

Belden also made cords for Royal, Electro-Hygiene, Filtex, Singer, Apex, Cadillac (vacuums, that is!), Hamilton Beach, G.E./Premier, Fairfax, Modern Hygiene, Regina, Rex-Air, Universal, Westinghouse, and many others, I'm sure.

And many other small appliances as well, Sunbeam mixers, etc.

Not to mention office machines.......!

These did not always have the standard Belden plugs; many times they had custom plugs with or without logos.

Here's an early -- and very UN-P.C. -- Belden ad.

 

[a007kirbyman]

Beldon cords...

Beldon was acquired by Volex, May 07th, 1999. Beldon was headquartered in Carmel, IN. Volex was located in Warrington, England.

Here is a quote regarding this:

"Following the acquisition of Belden’s power cord division and increased production, Volex is now recognized as the world's leading producer of power cords."


As far as I know, there has been no other company making Genuine Kirby cords other than Beldon/Volex up 'til the present.


eBay item#: 260581471609 04/13/10 $51.00
eBay item#: 130373624633 03/17/10 $102.50
eBay item#: 190356629658 12/xx/09 $130.00


As for after-market, they attempted to make them as similar as possible to the genuine cords (& other trim & parts) as they could (hopefully w/o legal action).

I hope this info is of help.

Cheers & hagd all,

Bill

 

[compactelectra]

Here is My 561 Restored

Pic 1 I agree with Charles Richard - this has to be one of the most beautiful Kirbys ever produced.

 

[compactelectra]

Let's See

If I can get you a full view. How about one with Ms. Tania? She indulged me. She really isn't a Kirby or an upright kind of gal.

 

[compactelectra]

In Answer to your question

Joe - I think your handle grip is correct. Probably just a bit faded.

 

[compactelectra]

Don't You Love

How Ms. Tania's lipstick (Max Factor I am sure) matches the hose and attachments? One last picture. Unfortunately, the attachment box got wet in the basement, but you get the idea.

Fred

 

[airwaylady]

I remember our neighbors having a home demo with this model Kirby when it was new and thought it was just BEAUTIFUL!
They did not buy it and I was so disappointed, they kept their Kenmore Commander instead! Watched the demo and was hoping my Mom would buy one...NO LUCK!....Glad you have one for yourself, Fred! Really enjoyed using yours!

Tania

 

[myvacsrock]

RED = Eye Candy...

On a Kirby...Classic 3 and this machine