Kirby Model 510

[thevacuumman]

Bought this Saturday for $10 it does need work though but should i try to find a original bag,cord,and belt lifter or replace all of the trim with the tan color trim

 

[electrolux~137]

I'd say, go with the tan since original gray bag, cord & trim are as scarce as hens' teeth.

Tan [which Kirby calls "sirroco"] was for many years - and may still be - their standard color for rebuilding old machines and they look really nice in that color. See link. The only thing that bugs me is the flat cord plug in the big round hole. It just doesn't look right. Too bad they stopped ordering round-end plugs (from Belden) a long time ago.

btw, don't loop the cord through the forked part of the handle - doing so puts a strain against the motor-end plug and eventually will cause a short or broken circuit.


http://www.137.com/kirby508

 

[electrolux~137]

p.s. I like your Sanitaire -- I think these machines look really nice with the dark blue bag and trim.

 

[thevacuumman]

thanks for the suggestion and i have always liked that sanitaire

 

[electrolux~137]

I see in your profile you have some Electroluxes. Would love to see photos of them, especially the Model E.

 

[kirbyotronic]

I still have an original bag from a 508, I'm willing to let it go for the right price.

Let me know if you want it.

Alex

 

[thevacuumman]

can i see a picture of the bag

 

[thevacuumman]

I just vacuumed with the Kirby 510 and it grooms the carpet nicely and when i dumped out the bag the sani-emptor was filled with a lot of grit

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Parts Wanted

If there's any trim parts you're after on this machine, here is what the 510 originally had:

190050 - cloth bag
144350 - belt lifter
1920 - power cord

Keep in mind two of these three parts you'd mentioned, among other pre-1956 Kirby parts, were discontinued sometime as early as the early '60s, and according to the 505-Sanitronic VII service manual Mark Berger has, Kirby back then suggested the use of the 190058 cloth bag and the 144356 belt lifter.

The #1920 power cord, used through model 515, was still available as of 1965. However, I'd presume both that and the #192059 power cord (516-561) were discontinued circa 1980.

~Ben