Royal 881 restoration complete

[toastermike]

After I lost my Royal 880 purchased new in around 1974, I found this 881 at a local thrift shop for $7.00. It was missing the belt cover but was in good shape. I spent many hours hand polishing it by hand. I found a belt cover and tried to wash the bag. The graphics literally dissolved and the blue dye was washed out leaving it very faded. This was about 10-15 years ago before I began collecting and restoring Royals. I eventually found an 883 for the bag but it has a lot of wear. Last week I stumbled upon an original brand new bag on ebay that was NOS from a vacuum center in the 1990's. Lucky me! I thought the odds of finding this for a 34 year old model that was probably not the best selling in the line up were very remote at best. So after all these years it is finished! So this is the vacuum that caused me begin collecting and restoring vacuums. Now I have over 32 Royals and about 20 other brands.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

toastermike

Mike,

Long time, no post! That was indeed a great job you did on your 881!

I managed to score a few more vacuums myself this year in time for my 40th birthday, and they include:
* 1947 Kirby 505 (incomplete)
* 1955 Kirby 515 (broken fan)
* 1973 Kirby Classic 1CR (mostly original, missing bag guard)

~Ben

 

[toastermike]

Hi Ben

Looks like you are building a nice collection! I have a few 500 series Kirby's that could donate parts. I'm sure I could harvest a fan for the 515, and, I'm not positive, but I might have a 408 that could help out your 505. I'll have to look. I'll keep an eye out for a brown collar at the Goodwill. I don't see the early Kirby's as much there now days.

Mike

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

toastermike

Mike,

Thank you! I would definitely be interested in any similar machines you might have, to farm parts for my 505 and 515.

Among what I am looking for for my 505 are: four black wheels, a handle fork with a black grip, a gray cord with round female end (with Kirby logo on male end), and a tan bag with red Kirby circles.

For my 515, I am also looking for: four gray Alathon wheels, gray or tan Kirby bag, and gray cord with round female end (with Kirby logo on male end).

I am also considering getting rid of some of my machines, including two duplicate Kirbys, as my garage is becoming very full of them now. I am still open to trading, as I am still looking for a few rarer machines myself.

I am wondering if you may be interested in both my duplicate Kirbys -- meaning, my 1972 Classic 1CR and my 1987 Heritage II (both with shake-out bags), as I see neither of those machines are in your collection yet?

~Ben[this post was last edited: 7/13/2021-04:27]

 

[dysonman1]

Great Job on the Royal She really shines. Congrats on a project (even if a long one) well done.

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

Job on the restore I love the blue royals.

 

[hygiene903]

Looks Great!

Excellent restoration work on your 881, Mike! I'm a big fan of Royal and Electro-Hygiene myself, with 22 Royals and 23 Electro-Hygienes in my collection, as well as 2 Royalaire tanks, 2 Good Housekeepers, and a Health-Mor Sanitizing System. They always look so beautiful when they're freshly polished, and always a pleasure to run! Here are some of mine, models 601, 801, 603, 606, 801, 602, and 883.
Jeff

 

[rivstg1]

love seeing Royals saved and cherished! I have 3 tanks and 4 uprights too

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

toastermike

Mike,

I do not need the plastic bag guard (191669) for my 1973 Classic 1CR (the one you see at right, with the perfect-looking belt lifter casting), since what I did was to exchange the one with the guard intact off of my '72 Classic 1CR (the one you see with the broken belt lifter casting) and latch that onto the '73.

But I still remain interested in any Kirby 500 series parts machines for parts for my 505 and 515.

~Ben