Royal 801 question

[vacuumfreeeke]

OK, so after many years of not using the 801, I made a video of it for my youtube channel and fell in love with it again.... it has become my daily driver. The only belt I have for it was a knurled Kirby belt, but it makes the motor sound kind of weird.... someone told me that the knurled Kirby belts are too strong for this vacuum and I should find a non-knurled Royal belt for the 801. I looked on Ebay and the only Royal belts I found were knurled (I didn't know they'd started doing that too) or belts for Dirt Devils that really are not the all metal Royals. Does anyone know where I can find the proper belt? I don't want to cause motor damage by using the wrong one.

Also, what about washing the bag? It is blue with the diamond pattern and red letters.... I don't want to ruin it, but it really is dirty and I'd like to clean it safely.

This is all so new to me since I'm usually into the more modern plastivacs with on board tools and bare floor features for some reason, so I figured you vintage experts could point me in the right direction. I'm *really* enjoying this machine.... not a huge amp motor, but airflow and agitation are great and it's so quiet and nimble, I just can't get over what a pleasure it is to use. I just ordered some microlined type a bags for it (like the F and G style bags)... I have just a single layer paper F and G bag in it now, but I wanted a little better filtration, so looked specifically for some microlined bags and found them on Ebay.

Thanks!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Here's a close up of the nozzle.... I hand polished it like 7 years ago when I got it and it still looks pretty good.... doesn't seem to dull as fast as the Kirbys do.

I did superglue the hand grip on, because much like my Santiares/Eurekas it kept coming off on the back stroke.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Here's the bag, maybe you can see the dirt from the picture... if it's going to fade or the writing is going to come off, I don't want to wash it.... but clearly something needs to be done.... I did vacuum it with the Dyson and it got better but what's left on there isn't coming off with suction alone....

 

[kenmore81]

Thats a tricky one. I'd be carful washing it as the silk screening may come off. Id try a sponge dampened with Woolite, thats what I usually do with bags that Im not sure will wash well. Im not sure how the Royal bags are as I've never had one (yet lol), but my Hoover bags Ive just vacuumed them well like you did, then a damp sponge to get them as best I can. I just dip the sponge wring then gently wipe. I did use my Steam-Vac attahment on Kemore and Kirby bags but they are a different breed lol.

 

[vinvac]

Bobby,

You are correct. On that machine you should not use the knurled belts. They are hard on the front bearings and will ruin them.

Both Kirby and Royal make what is called a soft belt. Just ask your vacuum store and they should be able to get it for you. I also don't think you should use a Kirby belt on a Royal and vise versa....One, and I am not sure which one is sightly smaller and may cause bearing problems as well.

I have cleaned all of my Royal bags by gently using Armor All or some similar type protectant. On all of mine it cleaned and left the bag looking great.

Morgan

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Thanks Morgan, I will ask for that kind of belt the next time I go to the shop.... I couldn't find anything called a "soft belt" on ebay...

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Bobby,

What you want are these parts for your 801:
1043260001 - belt
2059721000 - brush roll

~Ben

 

[kenkart]

801..

I love mine, its way older than yours, mine was made in 58.

 

[kenkart]

While we are on Royals..

Here is a 63, 401 tank , Chrome.

 

[kirbylux77]

Bobby

I know a vac shop out in British Columbia that sells these Royal belts. I ordered some when I bought a huge order of Envirocare Kirby HEPA Cloth bags from him & had everything shipped to Ontario. I thought he was referring to the Royal Style 8 knurled belt, as you found online....but instead got the earlier "soft belt" without the tread. I will send you an email with the shop's contact info.

Good luck....Rob

 

[kirbylux77]

Hans

Your Royal 601 tank is absolutely stunning!!! I bet it's quite the head-turner & gets some questions when you have company over that has never seen it before. I wish they never discontinued this style of Royal tank.

Rob

 

[dysonman1]

Bobby: on all my sleeve bearing Royals, it's easier to obtain a Rainbow power nozzle belt (a genuine will have the word Rainbow printed on it). That belt is slightly larger than the Kirby, and works very well without putting too much down pull on the front bearing, while still providing enough traction to turn the brush bar. Any vac shop should carry a Rainbow power nozzle belt.

 

[kenkart]

Chrome Royal Tank..

Its a model 401, Just like the later ones, According to Mike Rogers who I got it from, these were only sold in chrome to certain dealers, this one was made in 1963, I dated it by the date on the motor, I also have a 975 swivel top Royal that is pink, also made in 63.

 

[hygiene903]

Wow, a Royal Picture Thread!

Allow me to add a few of mine! First, an 801 with the "side saddle" bag, like the one Hans posted. A beautiful machine that runs like a top!
Jeff

 

[hygiene903]

A later 801, built in 1975.

 

[hygiene903]

Ensemble In Red & Black

Left to right, model 153, 157 hand vac, and 189 hybrid (or, Frankenroyal?). I call it a hybrid because it has a 601 motor but everything else is 189.

 

[hygiene903]

Model 408 Power Tank

A powerful little vac!

 

[hygiene903]

Royalaire Model 260

Another powerful tank, from the late 50's or early 60's. All I need is an instruction book and tool caddy, and it will be complete!