Royal 790

[toastermike]

I was just given a Royal model 790 upright and am puzzled by it. It looks just like an 880 and has a 400 amp motor. The cloth bag is a much new replacement so I don't know what the original looked like. Anyone familiar with this one?

Mike

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Mike,

I suspect that this was likely sold by Electro-Hygiene dealers alongside the 990 (the one with the removable head). I think of this as being like the Galaxie Prestige model 990 but without the removable head.

~Ben

 

[kirby519]

When you ask what would the original would look like.

Are you asking about the color of the bag? Or referring to if it was a shake out type bag and fabric type. Or what the original outer bag would look like for a disposable bag set up? Top fill tube or like a Eureka F&G type disposable bag. Again fabric make up? cloth outer bag like on a Kirby or a vinyl bag with holes punched in it like the outer bags on Hoover & Eureka vacuums from the 60's thru 70's

While I'm well versed with the Kirby set up and options. I have seen examples of the various options on Royals that were original to the machine in front of me.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

kirby519

Steve,

Here is a picture of one from a model 990.

~Ben

 

[kirby519]

Hi Ben
Nice looking machine. Looks like the bag is a shake out bag. Judging from the flap on the top like the Kirby's of the 50's and before. Was that standard for the machine or an option where you could have a shake out bag or disposable bag system?

What year is the machine pictured?

On the commercial Royals a shake out bag or disposable bag system is an end user option.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Steve,

Actually, it's not mine. . . it's from an eBay auction. This model is a 1966-71 model going by the nameplate on the bottom of the motor unit.

~Ben

 

[suckolux]

Was that 4 amp or 400 watt motor?

 

[kirby519]

@ Ben

Damn that machine is as old as I am especially if it is 1966. I like the longevity of well made equipment. One reason I like my Kirby. I have one that is a 516. still working and performs as well as it did new. Also have a 517 and 519.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Steve,

Yes, although until 1971 it was rated 350 watts.

Royal upgraded the motor size on these cleaners every so often. From 1971-75 cleaners like these were rated 400 watts, then in mid-1975 it was rated 3 amps for all models. Starting in late 1980, their deluxe machines were rated 4.5 amps (followed by the commercial machines in mid-1981), then they were rated 5.4 amps from late 1985 until mid-1987 when Royal overhauled its household line of cleaners which had new amperage ratings of 6 (and, starting in 1990, 7).

Second, a Royal shake-out bag would have an exposed black bag top on it.

~Ben

 

[kirby519]

I know the commercial models have an exposed bag clamp. Do you know if the one pictured is a disposable set up.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Steve,

Yes, the 990 bag takes disposables.

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

toastermike

Mike,

The original bag that was on this machine was branded "ELECTRO-GRAND."

~Ben

 

[briankirbyclass]

Ben, do you know this "Mike" person that lives in the same town as you? Or IS this Mike you also? If yes, you do realize you are answering questions that you asked yourself?

Or if not, have you met this Mike person? You must be thrilled another collector lives in your same town? Kinda confused, Just wondering.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

briankirbyclass

Brian,

Yes, I know him well and the fact that he lives near me. He recently met up with my grandparents who were given a Classic III bag guard which they then gave to me.

~Ben

 

[toastermike]

I'm real!

Yes, I am a real person who like many of us appreciates Ben's wealth of information and willingness to share it with us. BTW thanks for the new info on the Royal 790 Ben. My email name toastermike is from a nickname given to me years ago when I began collecting and restoring vintage toasters, before I began collecting vacuum cleaners.

Mike

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

toastermike

Mike,

You're welcome.

~Ben