Questions on vintage Kirby 519

[robfromli]

Hi All,

Got my hands on a vintage Kirby 519 a few months ago. Just now starting to dust it off and work toward getting it running. I have a few questions I'm hoping the good folks here can help with. I've attached a few photos, I know they're really poor photos, I'll try to update with some better ones this weekend. My questions are:

1. Although I read that this unit typically has a permanent dust bag that must be emptied, this one has a disposable bag but it's a very strange one with a collar that goes onto a tube and gets secured with a spring coil. Does anyone know if this is a standard Kirby bag or a 3rd party and can I still get them? I've looked around but I don't see anything like it. I'm thinking about going to the Harmony II bag, from what I've read that'll fit but the whole setup seems expensive and hard to find.

2. There doesn't seem to be a lens in front of the bulb but from pictures I've seen online it looks like that's how the 519 came from the factory?

3. Can I still get belts for this vac and will the belts for my G series fit the 519?

4. Does anyone know where I can get a factory accessories kit? I have no hose or anything for it - it was about to be thrown out during the cleanout of my friend's grandmother's retirement village home. Luckily I scooped it up. I'm going to use it for my upstairs if I can get it running since my G series is pretty heavy to carry up and down the stairs.

5. Does anyone know the specs for the bulb? I'm thinking of trying to find an LED replacement and at the very least I'll need to track down an incandescent as the one in there is definitely blown.

Thanks everyone!

Rob

 

[KirbyCollector01]

The bag is not genuine, the bag is eureka f & g paper bag setup with a Kirby collar on it to fit a Kirby. This conversion was popular in the 50s 60s and 70s because some people didn't want to shake the dirt out.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

The 519 didn't have a lense over the light. The light lense was introduced in the classic omega in 1973. Soft belts would be better for the 519 but yes g series belts do work on the 519 good.

You can probably find an attachment set on eBay.

You can put an led light in it but it must be 120v and must fit on the machine. 12v will blow up immediately in a Kirby. Ask Chicagmike about the Kirby 519 led for more details.

Hope this helps

 

[sptyks]

Rob,


 The bag system is not genuine. The 519 came with a shakeout style bag with emptor which empties through the trap door on the bottom.


 


Do not use your Kirby G series belt in the 519 unless it has a new style brushroll with ball bearings. The older <span style="font-size: 12pt;">brushroll with sleeve bearings needs the old style soft belt. Using the G series knurled belt will ruin the older sleeve bearings.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here is a link to where you can get light bulbs for your 519:</span>


http://stores.ebay.com/Kirby-Needs/_i.html?_nkw=Light+bulbs&submit=Search&_sid=1037610958

 


Here is the link for soft black belts:


http://stores.ebay.com/Kirby-Needs/_i.html?_nkw=belts&submit=Search&_sid=1037610958

 


Here is a link where you can find many different Kirby parts and accessories:


http://stores.ebay.com/Kirby-Needs

 

 

[kirbyvacsandmor]

Rob,

I have heard that the newer knurled belts will bend your armature if you use them on pre G series models.

Also I don't think anyone has made an LED replacement for this model.

Thanks,
Lars

 

[robfromli]

Thanks very much for all the replies! I was wondering if the bag was the Eureka mod I have read about. I will probably switch it to the Harmony II then as I'd rather have it all Kirby. I will look through the links everyone posted and report back on how things are going. Thanks again!

 

[robfromli]

OK I got belts and bags ty for the links and info. Going to order a bulb next, wanted to make sure vac worked first. Two more questions:

1. Would a set of Heritage II tools like this fit the 519?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KIRBY-FLOOR...344406?hash=item33a9195f56:g:k~4AAOSwd0BV0OyU

2. When changing the belt, the manual I found says that to remove the beater bar you physically bend back the tabs on the ends that hold it in, I did that and got the belt put on but the tabs have to be bent back to position - is that right? Are they supposed to spring back? Is this really how to change the belt?

Thanks

Rob

 

[speedqueen]

Dispite my wallpaper I am not a Kirby expert...

But I can answer your questions.

#1) Heritage II tools will not fit a 519, but I believe those from a 516 to Sanitronic VII will.

#2) Just bend it back. They are not supposed to spring back. This is one of my few gripes about old Kirby cleaners, with how well thought out everything else is on these machines, the rug plate seems like an afterthought.

Just speculation but you might get better airflow if you get the F&G to ST bag conversion kit so you can use the better quality Sanitaire ST bags in the 519.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

speedqueen

The Heritage/Legend series hose couplings definitely won't fit on a 516 to Sanitronic VII, but most of the other tools that attach to the hose tube swivel end will.

~Ben

 

[tolivac]

Don't use the conversion bag on your Kirby.Those fog bags RESTRICTS the machines airflow. Use the original equipment bag instead .Have one of those conversion bags and it doesn't work well.

 

[speedqueen]

Tolivac...

The problem is he doesn't have the original equiptment, it came to him with the F&G kit on it and no emptor. My suggestion was to buy another converter to be able to use Sanitaire type ST cloth HEPA bags with the eureka F&G to ST converter for better airflow.

It could also be remedied by buying a Sani-emptor and cloth bag.

 

[kirbyrama]

Older Kirby Hose Couplings

Sometimes I will use my 519 model with my Heritage II hose . It will fit; however, do not turn the lock lever too much or it may damage the coupling . Just turn the lever enough so that it attaches- but not all the way. I sometimes use this setup because I changed it to a longer hose.

 

[robfromli]

Thanks again for the info guys. I'll have to keep looking for a good set of tools with the hose. Seems like people are selling an entire 500 series vacuum with all the tools for $100 so hopefully I can find just the hose and tools cheap. I've got a soft spot for old well made things and especially this one having belonged to my best friend's grandma, who is a very sweet lady who has always been kind to me and who I'm sure bought this vacuum brand new. I bet the tools were in her place but whoever came across them, they were long gone when I got there.

As for the bag, I will check into that ST conversion kit, didn't find anything with a quick search but I'll keep looking. I think I read that a Heritage II bag / emptor will fit the 519 but haven't found one of those yet either.

At least the vacuum does appear to work well even with the restrictive bag and I have some bulbs on the way too.