Belt question

Short answer...

If you own the belt, own the Kirby, you may do whatever you desire! Not necessarily the best thing to do; however, it's YOUR CHOICE!!! (~~LOL~~)

Longer answer...

At times Kirby would come out w/ a "new" belt design, testing it if you will, then it would be gone when they decided on a "better" belt.

To clarify some of the other questions/thoughts on the belts currently available:

Part #: 159059 Model: 505-D80 Brush Belt (soft blk)
Part #: 301291 Model: 1CR-G10 Brush Belt (knurled)
Part #: 301289 Model: 516-G10 Polisher Belt (smooth)
Part #: 505058 Model: 519-1HD Handi Butler Belt

Then there are the belts for the Vacuette & transmission drive.

Any belts other than these, are either "old stock" or non-Genuine Kirby.

If the belts have a "stripe" on them (regardless of the color), they are definitely a 'generic' belt. Kirby NEVER has had a "stripe" on their belts. Will they fit? Yes. Are they the same quality & performance? NO!

One final note: The real issue with using the 'newer' knurled belt, is the undue additional strain (as Bud mentioned above) on the bushings or bearings, whether in the motor or brushroll. If you are NOT concerned with this, ...or you have replaced 'those' items with new ball-bearing replacements, they by all means go for it!!!!!!!!! (~~LOL~~) ...& use the much better knurled belt.

I hope this was/is of help.

Cheers & hagd all,

Bill


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Post# 100304 6/9/2010 at 10:07 (5,068 days old) by shag (Ontario, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Do all Kirbys have the same belt? I have one here to put on the Generation 3, just wondering if it will work. All it says on it is Kirby 301282 Upright only.

Post# 100308 , Reply# 1 6/9/2010 at 10:58 (5,068 days old) by bagintheback (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Checkrate/Likes As far as I know yes, I've only seen one belt.

Post# 100335 , Reply# 2 6/9/2010 at 14:45 (5,068 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes Yes, all Kirby vacuums use the same belt.

Post# 100337 , Reply# 3 6/9/2010 at 15:16 (5,068 days old) by sleepdoc (St. Louis, MO)
Checkrate/Likes At some point, Kirby belts changed from a smooth inner surface to a textured one, which I think improves the adherence of the belt to the shaft. I think those belts are suitable for any model but am not sure.

Post# 100364 , Reply# 4 6/9/2010 at 19:55 (5,068 days old) by scvacuumguy (SC)
Checkrate/Likes The knurled Kirby belt will fit on any model. This belt provides more grip on the motor shaft to consistently turn the brushroll. Given the choice, I'd go with the knurled belt- but even the old "yellow line" Kirby belts will fit any machine.

Post# 100440 , Reply# 5 6/10/2010 at 18:44 (5,067 days old) by pr-21 (Middletown, OH)
Checkrate/Likes *Kirby Belts* Kirby still makes belts for the older models. I was told that you could use the knurled belt back to the D80, but for older models you need to order the older style belt. It doesn't put as much drag on the motor. Bud

Post# 100522 , Reply# 6 6/11/2010 at 14:39 (5,066 days old) by a007kirbyman (--->> Originally My Mom <<--- (now Wisconsin))
Checkrate/Likes *Kirby belts...* Short answer... If you own the belt, own the Kirby, you may do whatever you desire! Not necessarily the best thing to do; however, it's YOUR CHOICE!!! (~~LOL~~) Longer answer... At times Kirby would come out w/ a "new" belt design, testing it if you will, then it would be gone when they decided on a "better" belt. To clarify some of the other questions/thoughts on the belts currently available: Part #: 159059 Model: 505-D80 Brush Belt (soft blk) Part #: 301291 Model: 1CR-G10 Brush Belt (knurled) Part #: 301289 Model: 516-G10 Polisher Belt (smooth) Part #: 505058 Model: 519-1HD Handi Butler Belt Then there are the belts for the Vacuette & transmission drive. Any belts other than these, are either "old stock" or non-Genuine Kirby. If the belts have a "stripe" on them (regardless of the color), they are definitely a 'generic' belt. Kirby NEVER has had a "stripe" on their belts. Will they fit? Yes. Are they the same quality & performance? NO! One final note: The real issue with using the 'newer' knurled belt, is the undue additional strain (as Bud mentioned above) on the bushings or bearings, whether in the motor or brushroll. If you are NOT concerned with this, ...or you have replaced 'those' items with new ball-bearing replacements, they by all means go for it!!!!!!!!! (~~LOL~~) ...& use the much better knurled belt. I hope this was/is of help. Cheers & hagd all, Bill

Post# 100539 , Reply# 7 6/11/2010 at 18:57 (5,066 days old) by scvacuumguy (SC)
Checkrate/Likes *now I see....* I was brought up since age 14 believing the yellow stripe belt was original Kirby. Now I'm curious as to why the stripe ever became a staple on the generic Kirby belts! After reading your post, I was a bit seething thinking I was correct all of these years- but since your bio suggests that you have 40 yrs experience with Kirby, I'm going to go with your information. Any news on the Avalair yet? And are you a distributor or just repair personnel for Kirby?

Post# 100930 , Reply# 8 6/16/2010 at 13:26 (5,061 days old) by a007kirbyman (--->> Originally My Mom <<--- (now Wisconsin))
Checkrate/Likes *Hello Chris...* There is a lot of incorrect info 'out there' that I see, about various aspects with Kirby(s). Some of it comes from 'supposed Kirby experts' & some of it from non-experts. I DO NOT claim to be an expert, (though knowledgeable, we're all human & make mistakes). However, that said, I do attempt to dot my "iiii" (eyes) & cross my "tttt" (tees) (~~LOL~~) with facts & proof before I will 'say' something. My 'hunch' is that the 'stripe' was part of an agreement, to keep Kirby from pursuing legal action against 'them.' As for 'any' new Kirby, if you see the information I posted in these prior threads, I still stand behind what I posted in them. I was a Distributor previously. Now I am a Gold Star Service Center; however, I do still arrange & do a few in-home NEW Kirby sales. I case the link below doesn't work, I included the address. I hope these assist you, Chris. Cheers & hagd all, Bill www.vacuumland.org/TD/ARCHIVE/MOD... CLICK HERE TO GO TO a007kirbyman's LINK

Post# 230457 , Reply# 10 4/28/2013 at 22:05 (4,014 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes THREAD BUMP 4-28-2013 Currently, Kirby makes three belts (all sold in a pack of three): 159056G = soft belt for models 505 to Tradition (single-row brush roll) and can also be used as a floor polisher belt for models 505 to 515 301291G = knurled belt for all models since the Heritage (double-row brush roll) 301289G = flat belt for all models since the 516, used only with the Reno Group (Miracle Head, Rug Renovator) Previously, the last two belts listed above were given the catalog numbers 301282 and 301279 respectively. ~Ben

Post# 102431 , Reply# 9 7/3/2010 at 12:23 (5,044 days old) by a007kirbyman (--->> Originally My Mom <<--- (now Wisconsin))
Checkrate/Likes *Bill (eurekastar) & question...* Hey Bill, I posted to this to bring it towards the top or more current. Cheers & hagd/holiday wknd all, Bill CLICK HERE TO GO TO a007kirbyman's LINK