Kirby ID Help

[vacumaniac]

Any ideas on this Kirby as far as model? Pic is a bit blurry...

 

[twocvbloke]

Early 500 model, has to be...

 

[vacumaniac]

Yeah, I figured maybe a 509??? At any rate, it may be mine, got the price down to $20 bucks but am still working on it...

 

[brandon_w_t]

Looks like a 505. The bag would be a replacement from a 509.

 

[twocvbloke]

$20 is a steal, I'd be happy paying that if it were me for such an old vac...

 

[vac_whisperer]

DEFINITELY not a 505; maybe a 508 or even a 509. 510..?

VW

 

[brandon_w_t]

Observe the belt lifter. The 508 had the red Background with white lettering. This Machine has a black belt lifter with red letters. Most likely a 505 or 4c.

 

[vac_whisperer]

The belt lifter isnt black. Its red.

VW

 

[brandon_w_t]

It's actually black and red. No silver like the 508 and up machines.

 

[kirbyvacuum]

511 Kirby

Hi Derk I have the same Kirby it is a 511. Love it cant beat the sound of those 500 series enjoy Doug

 

[vac_whisperer]

The belt lifter on Derek's Kirby is RED. Not black.

VW

 

[twocvbloke]

I've got an idea, somebody buy the thing and read the ID plate on it, saves people arguing over it...

 

[vacumaniac]

HAHA David! Well put. It just so happens I will be buying this tomorrow morning so the mystery will then be solved, though I talked to the seller today and per that individual, it is a 512. So we shall see....

 

[brandon_w_t]

Interesting. The nozzle plug must be a replacement or I'm color blind. zooming in with my iPad I can read a blurry Kirby written in red on a black background.

 

[vacumaniac]

THE VERDICT IS IN................

Just arrived home with the.... 512. Everything including the trim is in decent shape, some noise on the brush roller but ended up getting it for a good price indeed. And, to settle the question of the floor... The belt lifter is.... (drum roll) red.

PS - What is done to remedy brush roll noise, besides the obvious of replacement

 

[vacumaniac]

Running pic

 

[vacumaniac]

Cord pic... Is it the original?

 

[twocvbloke]

The brushroll will most likely have Sleeve bearings, if it's sounding "dry", then you need to clean them out and oil them up (3-in-1 oil in the Blue can, NOT the Black & red one), if it's rattling, then they're probably worn out and replacement is the only option, although I'm not sure if the brushrolls for the 505-512 are available (513 to D80 used a different brushroll with the adjuster screws in the end caps, rather than them being in the nozzle)...

Can't say any more on that cos I've never fixed or used a Kirby older than my ClassicIII...

 

[henry200]

Wow, an original cord, and the bag looks fabulous!!! 

 

[vacumaniac]

Yeah, I was suprised at how good the bag was too. The trim is excellent, not even gouged. Were black wheels and trim the original on this?

 

[brandon_w_t]

Its all original. How awesome. Sorry for the frustration with the belt lifter color. Haha. I'm comparing both pictures right now and for some reason I still see a black belt lifter with red script.

Better get my eyes checked.


It does look fantastic.

 

[brandon_w_t]

Ment to say I still see red on black with the first picture but quite clear the new pics are red with white.

 

[twocvbloke]

Brandon, get your ipad checked too, my 2003 Toshiba Portege M300's screen shows white text on red plastic in the first pic...

 

[kc_kirby]

Congrats on a great Kirby find! I love the bag. It looks like its in pretty good shape. Most are faded and look yellow. Yours still looks gray, so you lucked out in finding a good one.

Chad

 

[electrolux~137]

 


 


 


<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: medium;">That is the original cord, and is as rare as hens' teeth so take good care of it!! You'd not be likely to find another one.</span>


 


<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: medium;">Don't wind it too tightly on the cord hooks, and if I may so recommend, do not wind it in an "8" pattern. I've been told by several vac shop repair people that that is bad for cords. Also make sure not to put even a small amount of strain on either plug end. The rubber is not as soft and pliable as when it was new (keeping in mind this is a 59-year-old machine) and it will tend to crack especially at the ends.</span>


 


<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: medium;">Nice bag too, and, yes, another very rare find in that condition. Congrats!!

</span>