WTB: Kirby 515 accessories

[riskygamble]

Hi everybody,
I'm looking for a hose and accessories that will fit my Kirby. It's a real workhorse which I scored at an estate sale. There was another Kirby there, the Classic I, and both vacuums had the full accessory kits with them.

The problem is... I didn't know any better and I picked up the accessories for the Classic instead of my 500-series! Of course, I didn't figure it out until a few weeks had passed and the estate sale company had surely liquidated everything unsold u_u;

I have looked all over my Kirby and can't find the plate with the exact model number, but there's sharpie on the bottom that includes the number '515'. There're a a lot of aftermarket fittings on it like the red wheels and cord, which I've attached pictures of just in case I'm completely off the mark about the model number.

Any information you can give me in relation to tips and tricks as well would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-Misha

 

[riskygamble]

Might this hose assembly work with mine?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Kirby-Vintage-Vacuum-Hose-7-feet-in-length-red-/291455317369

 

[jeschbac]

Misha

Your machine may well be a 515. It is certainly not later. Has the plate on the underside of the motor unit been removed?

The hose/coupler that you show ought to fit your machine very well.

I might also recommend that you find ChicagoMike either here, on YouTube, or Ebay, and purchase one of his authentic bags for your machine. I think he also has the correct wheels as well. Then I would replace your brush roll. Have your bearings and carbon brushes been checked?

It's a great machine to be respected. With a bit of TLC, it will last another lifetime!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Misha,

Welcome. I am also a Portlander, currently in the unincorporated suburb of Oak Grove.

The hose in the link you describe will work with your machine. Kirby no longer made woven cloth hoses after the 516 came out.

~Ben

 

[riskygamble]

Thank you both! It's so good to finally know a little more about what can be done here! I haven't taken the whole thing apart yet though I have taken off the power switch housing (WOW there was so much dust and hair!) to clean it out and check the wiring before I used it. I plan to disassemble it at some point soon and clean EVERYTHING out.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Misha,

If you say that this Kirby you found is a model 515, one clue as to what the original fan might be would lie in removal of the nozzle and gazing at the fan chamber hole. It should have 10 blades as a metal fan.

~Ben

 

[riskygamble]

It does have the ten blades! I miscounted at first and thought there were eleven somehow... I ended up buying that hose in the link above. I'll rig something together for a wand attachment once it gets here!

 

[jeschbac]

Ebay & Craigslist

Keep looking. You'll eventually find a complete tool box for the pre-516 Kirbys. Grey box and grey tools, correct guys?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

J.,

The original ones were gray indeed - on most units at least.

But I also saw a few 515s out there with the red tools for models 516-561, and Kirby from time to time made a few updates late in a given model's run that we may not know about.

~Ben

 

[lilkidtech]

It is a 515...

My name is Ben I have many Kirby attachments and parts. I have been collecting for years, I may have what's needed to make your machine original again and the attachments. Email me, [email protected] I'm in central new Jersey and I have tons of stuff here.

 

[chicagomike]

Take out the armature and if it is the original armature is there, there will be dates stamped in it

 

[riskygamble]

Score!

A pair of pickers that frequent the business I work for heard I was looking for accessories and came in with a motley crew of attachments! They're mostly red, and not all there, but now I have a wand and several smaller brush attachments (plus a case to keep them in!)

I'm still looking for the main/big head attachment (I'm not sure what to call it... the general purpose wand attachment that would be used for floors). Did they have a swivel mechanism?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Misha,

You are referring to the surface nozzle attachment, which did not actually show up until the model 518. The Classic III version is a close match, though, if you are looking for the red version. And yes, it did have a swivel elbow.

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Here's a Complete Red Surface Nozzle

Misha,

Here's a complete Kirby Classic III surface nozzle, with swivel elbow:
http://tinyurl.com/KSURFNZ

~Ben

 

[kirbykid]

If you ever need help fully disassembling it, I live in West linn south of Portland and would be happy to help.

 

[riskygamble]

Thanks everybody! Pretty sure that's one of the attachments I got - I'm not at home right now so I can't check. I know I have at least one surface nozzle-looking piece. Can't believe I forgot that phrase. :/ kirbykid and Ben, let's get together sometime and try to do a workshop session or something! I'd love to learn from someone more knowledgeable than me.

 

[kirbykid]

I'm trying to set up a mini meet at the end of june. Text me at 503 718 8486 or email [email protected]