Thread Number: 18902
How old my my royal 801?
[Down to Last]

Vacuumland's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate vacuumland.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 208123   11/28/2012 at 23:37 (4,138 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

Hey guys im new to the forums but I've had a thing for vacuum since I was very young. I came across this royal model 801 about 4 years ago. some people were moving out and i was helping empty their basement when I saw this old royal. I asked if I could have it. the guy was hesitant but said I could have it if I took good care of it. I know it was made before 1970 because of the style of serial plate and the fact it shows 350 watts instead of amps. I was just wondering if you could tell exactly when it was made? The serial # is 801-29468

It runs very well and with the exception of the bag being ripped where the chain is supposed to go and the logo wore off its in good shape. I am curious about the oil ports though, most royals have a red cap for the oil but this has a screw where it should be. upon removing the screw I can see the bolt is hollow (obviously for oil). maybe that could give a clue about its age. there also appears to be an oil screw for the front bearing.

I have to say I really love the old style and the fact it was built to last, to be repaired instead of replaced like cheap junk these days.


Post# 208124 , Reply# 1   11/28/2012 at 23:38 (4,138 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

pic 2

Post# 208126 , Reply# 2   11/28/2012 at 23:39 (4,138 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

pic 3 yes those are safety pins lol

Post# 208127 , Reply# 3   11/28/2012 at 23:40 (4,138 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

pic 4

Post# 208128 , Reply# 4   11/28/2012 at 23:42 (4,138 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

pic 5 serial # 801-29468

Post# 208129 , Reply# 5   11/28/2012 at 23:44 (4,138 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

pic 6

i take it those 2 screws are for adding oil?


Post# 208133 , Reply# 6   11/29/2012 at 00:12 (4,137 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
About that nameplate, two patents are not there that would signify the unit as being a 1969-70 model: D209131 and 3444582.

The latest patent shown on your machine is 2851717, which was first filed on 10/27/55 and issued on 9/16/58.

D209131 was first filed on 11/26/65 and issued on 11/7/67.

I'm guessing yours must date between 1956 and 1965. Because of that, the original bag on your machine would've been tan and red in color (see picture below).

~Ben


Post# 208208 , Reply# 7   11/30/2012 at 01:17 (4,136 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

wow! this baby is REALLY old then. I'm amazed at how good it runs. The only issue is sometimes after running it for a while and the brushroll will slow down. not the motor, just the brush; I noticed the belt was running slightly towards the end of the shaft as this was happening. do I just need a new belt? The brush spins pretty freely by hand and I dont think its binding up..

Also, any idea where I can get an original bag and chain?


Post# 208218 , Reply# 8   11/30/2012 at 09:40 (4,136 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
I don't know about the bag, but as to the belt, the replacement part for it is #1043260001.

A replacement brush roll for your machine would be part #2059721000.

To correctly install a belt on any Royal metal upright, you will need to mount it using Royal's special plastic belt lifter tool, or a slotted-head screwdriver. Per instructions:
1. Remove belt cover (or Adjust-O-Rite) from front of cleaner (feature may vary depending on model).
2. Insert belt lifter tool (or slotted-head screwdriver) through belt loop, being sure to hook the belt around the lip of the belt lifter tool from the left. Using the tool as a pry bar, slip the belt onto the motor shaft until the belt lifter base meets the shaft. Gently turn the tool to the right (clockwise) to ensure proper belt placement. Remove tool.
3. The front of the belt will be to your right when installed properly. Snap belt cover (Adjust-O-Rite) over the belt access opening.

~Ben


CLICK HERE TO GO TO KirbyClassicIII's LINK


Post# 208233 , Reply# 9   11/30/2012 at 17:45 (4,136 days old) by Nubz3760 ()        

What is the difference between the belt for this and the newer royals? I think im gonna buy some mothers polish and shine it up, how common are these 801's? Im pretty geeked that I had such an old model and didnt know it.

I may post a video of it running sometime this weekend when everyone leaves because they will think im silly haha

Im really impressed by the knowledge on this site, I might have u guys teach me a few things


Post# 208244 , Reply# 10   11/30/2012 at 20:25 (4,136 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Please do post a video or two of your 801.

In the meantime, here's a video by @Aleroluver on YouTube, and his 1973 801 (with the 1977-86 880 bag) is among those used. It is not a strong performer compared to the other Royal metal upright, the 89103 90th Anniversary Edition upright (the former uses a 400-watt motor while the latter uses a 6 amp motor; the latter also has a 9-blade impeller fan while the former uses a 6-blade impeller fan).

The belts used on the post-1991 Royals are knurled whereas the pre-1992 models use smooth belts and their brush rolls have hex ends. They are not interchangeable. #1672260001 is the newer knurled belt, and cannot be used on models whose brush rolls have square ends.

~Ben


CLICK HERE TO GO TO KirbyClassicIII's LINK


Post# 208254 , Reply# 11   11/30/2012 at 23:09 (4,136 days old) by Nubz3760 ()        

Yea i noticed with a kirby belt the knurled side would make it sound like it had a bad bearing, whereas the smooth side was quiet. And i can agree with it not being a extremely, as it cant even pull the adjust o rite button all the way in. I still think it picks up better than most modern vacuums regardless.

Post# 208265 , Reply# 12   12/1/2012 at 03:15 (4,135 days old) by Nubz3760 ()        

Not being extremely powerful** sorry for typos

Post# 208277 , Reply# 13   12/1/2012 at 06:58 (4,135 days old) by kenkart ()        
Royals pictured above...

Those are mine and the 801 is in fact a 58, the pink 975 cannister is a 63, im glad those pics were posted..It would take me half a day to find my pictures! LOL!

Post# 208278 , Reply# 14   12/1/2012 at 07:02 (4,135 days old) by kenkart ()        
801 performance!!

I disagree that it is not a strong performer, it is very quiet running, but dont let that fool you, the nozzle design on these is to my mind superior in every way to the later Royals, I have a like new 880 from 1977 and the older 801 will clean rings around it, it is lighter and easier to push also, the 801 is the ONLY upright I use on a regular basis.

Post# 208286 , Reply# 15   12/1/2012 at 10:11 (4,135 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

I do love how quiet my 801 is, it makes a happy little whir :-) I love using it just because of its age; it runs so sweet for being twice my age. just goes to show that things were made better before china took over.

I use it more than my sentria. I dont like the plastic handle on the sentria, it bends when you carry it and just feels cheap for a $1500 machine. its WAY heavier than my royal too. I'd say the royal is my lightest (and quietest) upright. it makes me wonder why kirbys are so heavy since royals are all metal and are half the weight. it must be the tech drive. also, metal fan B-)


Post# 208431 , Reply# 16   12/2/2012 at 15:04 (4,134 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

Just thought you guys should know I took a couple videos of my royal and kirby. they are uploading now, should be up later. its in 720p so its gonna take a while.

Post# 208441 , Reply# 17   12/2/2012 at 15:49 (4,134 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
YouTube

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Nick,

What is your YouTube channel? So that I can stay up to date on your videos...

Thank you,



Ben


Post# 208448 , Reply# 18   12/2/2012 at 16:23 (4,134 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

my username is nickloss. It may not be the best content lol

Post# 208451 , Reply# 19   12/2/2012 at 16:25 (4,134 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

also I appologize in advance for poor camera work. I have one hand and its hard to hold the camera with a nub haha

Post# 208458 , Reply# 20   12/2/2012 at 16:53 (4,134 days old) by nubz3760 ()        
First Video

My Royal 801 and Kirby Sentria

CLICK HERE TO GO TO nubz3760's LINK


Post# 208460 , Reply# 21   12/2/2012 at 16:58 (4,134 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Nick,

Your 801 sounds very strong for a 350-watt motor... but perhaps only because the belt is worn out like you're saying? If it had a new belt (#1043260001), it would sound slower than how I'm hearing it in that video you made.

A new brush roll for your 801 is, again, part #2059721000.

I wanted to tell you that the cord on your machine is a replacement, as it's off-white in color. That color of cord was used on models 992, 993 and 9000 produced in the 1988-89 production season.

~Ben


Post# 208461 , Reply# 22   12/2/2012 at 17:05 (4,134 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

yes the belt is pretty worn, i dont have much trouble putting it on with my hand (although im strong). and after you run it a while the belt will start running towards the end of the shaft and will rub on the back of the adjust-o-rite plug. it makes it sound like a bad bearing but I've checked and it is the plug. it really worried me the first time it made that noise! As far as the brushroll is concerned, it does not look to be in bad shape and it spins freely; so I'm not too worried about replacing it. I just need a belt and some bags and I'm ready to own some sand :-P

Post# 208462 , Reply# 23   12/2/2012 at 17:16 (4,134 days old) by nubz3760 ()        
2nd Video

3rd person view of my Royal. In this video you will hear when the worn belt begins to rub

CLICK HERE TO GO TO nubz3760's LINK


Post# 208469 , Reply# 24   12/2/2012 at 17:47 (4,134 days old) by Nubz3760 ()        

What color of cord was originally on my machine? Because I would like a longer cord anyway

Post# 208481 , Reply# 25   12/2/2012 at 19:36 (4,134 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Nick,

It was gray, just like the handle grip and nozzle bumper. Later versions had a pigtail-type cord (that is, the cord is detachable).

The original cord length was 25 feet, whereas the 880 and other top-tier Royal uprights had a 35 or 50 foot cord.

~Ben


Post# 208499 , Reply# 26   12/2/2012 at 21:26 (4,134 days old) by Nubz3760 ()        

So can I order any old gray 2 wire vacuum cord or are there royal ones?

Post# 208531 , Reply# 27   12/2/2012 at 23:43 (4,134 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Nick,

Most of the "uncommon" parts (i.e., parts other than bags, belts and brushrolls) for this vacuum model are no longer available from Royal/TTI, so you may have to resort to donor 801s from later years to get what you need.

~Ben


Post# 208562 , Reply# 28   12/3/2012 at 10:00 (4,133 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

yea, I'm having difficulty finding a replacement cloth bag. I'm heading to a vac shop later for a belt and bags, Im gonna see if they have old machines in the back.
On a side note, I went to 3 different thrift shops today and could not find ONE vacuum.I remember a year ago this one shop would always have 2 or 3 old kirbys in back but now, nothing! Darn economy, nobody throws things away..



Post# 208568 , Reply# 29   12/3/2012 at 11:09 (4,133 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

I just got back from the vacuum shop, what a joke! This place obviously sells more sewing machines than vacuums. The guy told me they fix more kirbys than other vacuums. I asked what breaks, the tech drive? he said "mainly belts and brushrolls". oh wow, because a broken belt is way more serious than a burnt out motor or broken plastic housing. The reason they fix alot of kirbys is because they are worth fixing, plastic vacuums get thrown away. I pretty much stopped listening when he said that direct air vacuums cant clean a carpet any better than a bypass LOL

Anyways I picked up a belt and bags so I'm off to vacuum the carpets


Post# 208570 , Reply# 30   12/3/2012 at 11:11 (4,133 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

he even said direct air motors burn out quicker than bypass because the dirt goes through the motor LOL, this guy must have been the sewing machine salesman

Post# 209403 , Reply# 31   12/10/2012 at 11:17 (4,126 days old) by nubz3760 ()        

Would the fact my 801 has small silver screws covering the oil port for the front and rear bearing instead of a red cap with no port for the front bearing give a clue to its age? As far as I have seen most royals have a permanently lubed front bearing and a red cap for the rear bearing oil port, I have never seen this screw type before.

Post# 209588 , Reply# 32   12/11/2012 at 18:38 (4,125 days old) by kenkart ()        
Probably...

The newer models had a ball bearing on the front, also the handle grip is different on the very old ones.


Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

Woops, Time to Check the Bag!!!
Either you need to change your vacuum bag or you forgot to LOG-IN?

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy