New to the forum with a Kirby 519

[cfslevin]

Hello all!!! I am new to the forum and recently purchased a Kirby 519 on Ebay that I'm awaiting. I am really excited and wanted to share some pictures. It was owned by a collector and has had a new motor and fan in the last 3 years as well as a new brush roll. I also own a Sentria and an Avalir. What can anyone tell me about the 519?? Especially versus the 505-515 series. I paid $150 US for this 519 including shipping and some Classic III attachments in their original box. How do you all think I did? Thank you, Christopher

 

[97widerider]

I think you got a hell of a nice vacuum for under (or around $200.00). New motor, new fan, new brush roll....it's a no brainer. So for your $200.00 you essentially have a new, heavy duty vacuum that would be at least $500.00 today if you bought an equivalent in a Royal, and I hear Royal's future is sketchy.

Nothing compares to a good heavy metal vacuum....nothing.

If you get buyer's remorse, PM me.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Welcome!

I think you did great, you have a good solid investment here.If you're going to use it in rotation with other machines you can convert it to using Hepa filtered bags without changing the outer bag and I'm pretty sure you can use the new LED light bulbs as well. No doubt you'll get responses from members who can inform you on the differences between the #500 models and beyond. They're like the Encyclopedia Britannica and are very generous with their help. Again, welcome. Billy

 

[rivstg1]

yep, I put LED's in my 500 series Kirby's sometimes and they work....I have them in my DS80 and 50 models too , as well as in my Royal uprights....fabulous results. That 519 looks superb!!! look forward to hearing of your take on it.

 

[cfslevin]

I'm so excited. I cannot wait to receive her in person!! How would I convert it to use bags while keeping the cloth bag? Thank you

 

[kirbyklekter]

A couple ideas on your bag conversion

You may have seen these by now but just in case. Scroll down to thread#38218"562 Q's" by leoleonardo, click on that and scroll down to reply#13 rivstg1 has a link to go to and reply#14by Dandagreer has another method also. There are other methods out there but these will give you some ideas, hope this helps.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the site! You have a great looking vacuum that can last a lifetime.
If you do not plan on using it much (like for fun or show), you can fit a HEPA bag inside the cloth one like I did to my 505. See post 18 in the thread below:
https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34158_27
Let us know if you have any tech questions - there is a lot of good knowledge here.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Bearing Part Numbers

Les,

The actual part numbers Kirby had for its bearings for models 505 to Classic 1CR are:
Rear bearing only - part no. 1155
Rear bearing finger spring - part no. 1156 (order part no. 314990)
Rear bearing grease retainer washer - part no. 1157
Front bearing only - part no. 1160
Front bearing felt washer - part no. 116456
Front bearing thrust washer - part no. 116556
Front bearing plate only (models 516/1CR) - part no. 116656 (NLA - order part no. 116884S)
Front bearing plate screw - part no. 1167 (order part no. 193281)
Front bearing plate complete (models 516/1CR) - part no. 116856S (order part no. 116884S)
Front bearing plate only (models 505/515) - part no. 1174
Front bearing plate complete (models 505/515) - part no. 1174S

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I too have a bag conversion costlier than others but better if you plan to daily drive.
It is all a matter of preference and budget. Texaskirbyguys conversion is ingenious if you don't use daily.
I added a few pics of my idea. The motor is not strained. My setup runs as if exhaust had nothing on it basically no restriction. It basically doesn't bog vacuum down and it gives you a HEPA vacuum.
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

cfslevin

Chris,

The 519 was mostly similar to models 516 to 518, but it had several changes over the 518:

Its field and armature were improved. The field now has its wire connections with flag terminals instead of the old U-clips.

The handle lock mechanism was another improvement.

The power cord was lengthened eight feet from 24 to 32 feet long.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

The 519 is quite a looker with amazing polish job. The top fill sanatronic bag is okay but still amazing. The cord is from a classic 3 which is 32 foot cord. I don't know I'd change much it's quite the vacuum. The 4 amp single speed motors are my favorite Kirby motor.
I bought a 519 for $5. It had no bag cord just vacuum handle and emtor. It had been in a flooded basement. I have spent 10 hours cleaning off rust mold and mildew. It's not done but it's pretty close. I'm putting d80 motor making it one speed. I'm blueing it out. I have a blue square emtor bottom. Everything is blue and brand new. When I'm done I hope it's will be almost as nice as yours. Very nice vaccuum keep us up on what you think of it.
Les