Kirby belt on a Royal?

[andyc]

This weekend I decided it was time to replace a belt on one of my Royal metal uprights. I discovered, however, that I am clean out of Royal belts but I have a mountain of Kirby belts. I've been told that a Kirby belt will fit and work on a Royal metal upright, but I've never tried it. I prefer to use original parts and supplies. I did install a Kirby belt and it fits and is working for the time being. I'm just wondering if the Royal experts out there can give me their opinions/advise. Should I hurry out and get the correct belt, or will the Kirby belt work for the time being without causing any harm to the machine?

 

[ornery]

Hope It's Not Too Tight

Biggest concern would be too much pressure on the motor bearings, or brush roller bearings, if it's too tight. Too loose would just ruin the belt. If it easily slipped on using only your finger, it's probably not too tight. If in doubt, it wouldn't hurt to put the old belt back on till you get replacements.

 

[toastermike]

I was once advised against using a Kirby belt if the Royal is an older model with a motor of less than 6 amps because of motor bearing damage. I know that they use a lighter belt and the 6-10 amp models use a stronger belt.

Mike

 

[kirbyguy]

I've used Kirby belts on my Royal's

A Kirby FLAT belt will work on the Royal. However, the Kirby belt is a bit tighter fit as opposed to the Royal belt. Depending on the model Royal and the exhaust fan size check to make sure the motor isn't getting to warm. A Kirby FLAT belt was to tight for my Royal model 880 and seemed to cause the motor to get quite warm. Yet worked fine on my Royal Classic edition model.

 

[gsheen]

Knowing what i Know and been a Engineer  I would never recommend  this, That said I have no choice, There is no Royal agency in SA anymore. 


 


Here is what I do, I use used Kirby belts that are stretched, Then i use them on the royal. I would not use a new Kirby belt they are to tight. 

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Andy,

Definitely use only genuine Royal belts.

Dependent on the motor size, Royal has produced three different belts over the years: if one of your machines is less than 4.5 amps, use only the soft belt 1043260001; if between 4.5 and 7 amps, use the flat belt 1044260001; if the machine uses a hex-ended brush roll, go for knurled belt 1672260001.

~Ben

 

[ornery]

Used Kirby Belts That Are Stretched

Hah, I LOVE that! "Used Kirby belts that are stretched." That's about as frugal as you can get! Tree-huggers should love it for the recycling aspect. Kirby lovers should enjoy seeing Royals get their hand-me-downs. Nastyass Royal don’t care, the Royal don’t give a shi...

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

I'm sorry to hijack this thread, but I wonder if, by chance, these Kirby 512 videos are the property of Shelley aka kirbyguy here?

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4:


I am also led to believe the 512 in these four videos - and I'd hope to see it re-uploaded as one long video - was originally rebuilt by Kirby in the 1960s due to the red trim. The 512 was the last Kirby to have gray trim throughout except for the belt lifter and wheels, while its replacement the 513 used the red trim I'm seeing on this 512.

~Ben

 

[andyc]

LMFAO!!!, John!

I think I actually have that Royal model!!! Seriouslly though, thanks for everybody's input. I'm going tomorrow to get more Royal belts. Thanks BEN for the speciffics. INVALUABLE!  I actually have 4 Royals ranging from late 50's(?) model up to a 2000 model. All of them I think are different amp motors.

 

[kirbyguy]

Nope not my videos

Sorry Kirbyclassic these aren't my videos. Never the less they are interesting.

Love the idea of the pre-streched/used Kirby belt for the Royal. However, I've found new Royal belts for decent prices on eBay and Amazon. I just recently started collecting a few Royal vacs. But my first choice is still a Kirby.

 

[gsheen]

Ornery


 


We don't get Royal in South Africa any more so no belts available. It works nicely though.


 


Gareth 

 

[will09]

I have no idea what brand belt I got last time

I went to a near by vac store and was told all Royal metal uprights use the same belt. The last belt I believe said Royal on it. On the inside of the belt it has raised rubber cross hatching and looks just like the Kirby belt I just got to replace the 98 kenmore powermate vac . I called the place I just got a few Royal type A bags and some for the kenmore and he told me the Royal uses the same belt I just got for the Kenmore .

I really don't know what brand the belt on my Royal 880 is . When I got it from the trash 20 years ago it had no belt and that one lasted a long time.

If what I do have is a kirby belt on my 880 it never did any damage to the motor bearings or brush roller bearings.

Of course these are vac repair shops so who knows if they just go by what they sell to keep stock down and know what works for them . The last place I went to last week the fellow there knew exactly what bearing I needed for the Kenmore motor and the kirby belt was a perfect fit for that power head not like the last place I got the Royal belt , he sold me some off brand belt for the Kenmore that was so tight I could barely get it on and it lasted about 6 months before it stretched and slipped .

This is all not to say one should not use the proper belt on the 880 Royal , I want to use what it was designed for.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Will,

Since you previously told us your model 880 has a 3 amp motor, you will need to purchase (3) Royal belts, part no. 1043260001.

~Ben

 

[thermokid]

Only use the right belt on Royals

I learned the hard way. I put a new Kirby belt on my Royal ( I don't know what model it is but it looks like a 880 but with a gray cord) anyway I put it on and it lasted 6 months to the day and then the armature shaft broke in two. Don't really know if the wrong belt was the reason or not. But now I haven't been able to use that Royal for years and of course there isn't any royal dealers in this state. So I really don't know where to get a new armature for it or even how to put it in.. Any ideas? I still have my 880 and it just purrs like a kitten after all these years. And of course I had to have the newer Royals.. Burgundy one and a dark blue one.. they clean great but they are way to noisy for me... Dan

 

[super-sweeper]

Kirby belt on a Royal!

I did this the other day on what is likely an 880 (no builder's plate, a metal cover instead of an adjust-o-right), and for the first time in quite some time I was able to vacuum with it! What fun, while not as efficient and powerful as a genuine belt, it worked well for a pinch! It appears you can also use worn Kirby belts in Oreck cleaner, too!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Dan,

Definitely only use OEM belts.

That is why if you read the Handy Parts Mailer it will tell you what machines to use a certain belt with. In your case you'd likely wanted to use part no. 1043260001 as the belt.

Belt chart:
1043260001 - used for 3 amp Royals
1044260001 - used for all Royals 4.5 amps or greater (except machines with hex-end brush rolls)
1672260001 - used on Royals built with hex-end brush rolls ONLY

~Ben