Old Kirby Help needed

[shermaniac]

My grandson is waaay into vacuums so I keep a eye out at yard sales. I picked this vac up and it is missing parts so I need help identifying it so I can hopefully try to find some parts.
Thanks for looking and for any help.
Robert

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

shermaniac

Robert,

From what I can tell your Kirby would be a model 510, 511 or 512 going by the fact there is a port on the back of the Sani Emtor for the Sweet-Aire solution. All four wheels were originally black. The cord is original because I can see the correct rounded female end, but I know in addition to the wheels the cloth bag isn't original either as the original gray one was replaced in the 1970s.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 9/17/2018-22:15]

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Great find! Here is a resto thread on the older but very similar 505 that might help you and/or your grandson restore or repair it.
https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34158_27

 

[hmc1981]

Shermaniac

I agree with KirbyClassicIII, either a 510, 511, or 512. On the bottom of the unit, there (originally) was a serial number tag that would also indicate the model... is that still intact and legible? Regardless, it will still be a lot of fun to get it back to its original glory. These kinds of projects are always a blast... your grandson is very lucky. You two have a really awesome project in the works. I think this is awesome. Keep us posted on the progress, and if I come across anything that may help, I’ll let you know!

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I'm thinking 513. The grey wheel would be right. The red handle I think came out on 513. The headlight trim on 513 I believe is red. So it's either 510-512 with 513 parts or ,5213 with 510-512 parts.
I do believe it's early front motor housing. 512 and older.
Nice pick-up
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Lesinutah

Les,

The model 513 was the first machine to have the step-on foot switch button instead of the toggle switch, which is why my latest model number guess is the 512.

Early model 513:

Video: FanOfVacuums2
Remarks: His machine is mostly original, except for the bag and the temporary extension cord.

And a 512:

Video: RedGeminiPA
Remarks: Also mostly original, but has a broken belt lifter...

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Ben

I just caught that pic after. I do like chrome switch over toggle. I have it that way with my 508. I know you know this but Kirby uses switch and 4 amp motor on pre 513 machines.
I have a 509 with 4 amp and amodel fan. When I turned on with toggle switch I was like this is strongest 3 amp I have heard.
Les

 

[lesinutah]

Ben

The 512 either audio is bad or it doesn't sound like full power. They both are nice vacuums.
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Lesinutah

Les,

Your 509 had been rebuilt with the 4-amp motor parts and the plastic fan you describe. Naturally, the original 3-amp motor is not powerful compared to the later machines. Some machines were rebuilt with the parts you describe, but do not necessarily correspond to factory rebuilds.

It is likely the audio quality, regarding the 512 video.

Here's a 513 that was rebuilt in 1990 with the gray plastic Lexan fan:

Video: VacLab
Remark: This one is a true factory rebuild; and the serial number (watch at 0:52) suggests this one originally had the 4 amp motor, swiveling top cord hook and red handle grip.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

It was rebuilt and rebuilt again as it had a metal 6 blade fan. With toggle switch. I only bought it because I knew it had fan in it.
It was just motor housing no handle nozzle or cord. It had Kirby rebuild sticker. I don't know what happened but I'm glad to find fan only second one I've came across other is in my 505.
Les

 

[lesinutah]

513

That 513 sounds as good if not better than my 562 I just rebuilt.
Awesome vacuum.
Les

 

[shermaniac]

Thanks for the help! Now it's time to get busy and get her back in shape.

 

[huskyvacs]

It's rough but it will clean up for sure. It's virtually impossible to kill a Kirby.

On the bottom of the vacuum there should be a model tag riveted on, but usually all rebuilt vacuums would have this tag stripped off and thrown away for whatever reason.