Viking 507

[tase]

I went to my local ARC thrift store and stumbled upon this Viking 507. It was Originally $13, but it was half off due to the 2-day 4th of July sale.

I took it apart and cleaned most of it. The front piece of plastic to protect the Viking label was never taken off! After removing it, it looks nearly brand new. It's brilliant.

From the motor date plate, I can tell you that it was made in February or 1985.

I do have a questions though.

What bags do I need? I tested it with an Electrolux bag for the canisters, but that obviously wasn't right. I know that it is an Electrolux-Sweden machine, but that's all I know about it.

Why is the suction so mediocre? It feels weaker than... well about anything. I can barely feel it pull anything. I know that it doesn't have the best design for a vacuum (really? Pull the air from the nozzle all the way up the body, then pull the air down to above the motor?)

What kind of belts do I need?

Otherwise, it's in great condition.

 

[sries]

I doubt you would sell this but if you would how much?
I've been looking for one for a while.

 

[tase]

I honestly don't know. I was planning on selling it, but I really like this machine.

However, I was planning on keeping my Miele and I'm in the process of selling it.

Ill contact you first if I plan on selling this.

 

[eurekaprince]

It is indeed a very complicated (over-engineered?) design: air travels from the carpet into a suction tube, up the handle at the back of the dust bag container, into the bag, down into the bottom of the dust bag container where it travels to the fan of the motor by way of the handle joint, through the motor, then back up into the side of the dust bag container by way of the other side of the handle joint, and out the vents on the side of the container.

Maybe this is why the air-flow is not the strongest?

 

[tase]

Yeah, I assumed that this would be the cause for such wimpy airflow. It's really kind of sad as I really like the unit and the look. I was hoping to use it as my daily driver for my secondary house but I doubt that will happen.

 

[eurekaprince]

It's a strange design considering that by the time this design was brought to market, other vac-makers had figured out that it's best to put the motor of a bag-first machine in the bottom of the handle section, not the brush roll base. When Panasonic bought the Hoover Dial-a-Matic design, they really improved the airflow and suction to the configuration. And with this design, the air only travels one way between the base section and the handle section.... through a single connecting hose. Is it possible that for copyright reasons, Sweden's Electrolux could not yet copy the Dial-a-Matic configuration?

 

[super-sweeper]

what fun!

I always thought those Viking machines were FUN! Lucky you!

 

[seamusuk]

It is of course a disguised Electrolux 506...

Hey Will
The bags are different from the canister machines..
The lack of suction will be the filters. There should be 2 under the bag, one lays on top of the other and the bottom one is screwed in position. It was very common to have these in for no suction and the customer had never changed the screwed in one.
PM me your addy and I can send some bags, belts and filters over.....
Seamus
P.S That was probably made in the Electrolux UK factory in Luton.....

 

[tase]

I cleaned the filters but it didn't do anything (I didn't have the non-screwed one in because it was still wet when taking pictures.)

The vacuum still have very little suction.

 

[countryguy]

Perhaps there is a clog somewhere in the intake channel?

Gary

 

[funvacfan]

Do you

have the rotary electronic control turned all the way up to "boost"? I use mine as a daily driver.

Guy

 

[tig21er]

The Viking

was an attempt to bring Electrolux from Sweden into the United States when Sara Lee turned down an offer to buy Electrolux (USA) back. They tried to get franchises opened in the U.S. and even brought onboard some Electrolux (USA) mid range management people to sell. The Viking never made it here. Eureka was purchased to let Electrolux AB get it's foothold back in the American market.

 

[tase]

Gary, I've checked the whole thing and cannot find a single clog.

Guy, I have tested it on all three levels and it's still just mediocre suction.

 

[turbo500]

Possibly dust clogged up around the veins of the fan - quite possible if it's been used with a dirty filter. Not sure what to suggest to rectify that as they're a swine to get into!

The suction was never amazing, but it should be strong enough to clean with and stronger than most dirty fan cleaners of the time.

Incidentally, replacement brush strips for these are still available on ebay.

 

[dysonman1]

It actually pulls 70 on a water lift gauge. I love mine. I bought one brand new more than 20 years ago when I was in the vacuum shop business. You'll absolutely need the correct bags or it will have no suction.

 

[tase]

OK, what model are the bags? I have no idea what I'm looking at for the bags.

And I cleaned the fan. It really wasn't that dirty.