Thread Number: 9519
Kirby Model 515 Rebuild |
[Down to Last] |
Post# 104366   7/27/2010 at 08:39 (4,993 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I began working last night on my Model 515. While the engineering and design is basically the same as newer models, there are also some things that are VERY different. The motor shell is much more compact because the pre-516 models don't have a separate motor housing that then fits into a larger shell. The motor shell IS the motor housing, which makes servicing the motor a tad bit more complicated. I know many of you guys already know a lot of this stuff, but these are new discoveries for me! This is what 55 years of lint and carbon dust look like.
|
Post# 104367 , Reply# 1   7/27/2010 at 08:42 (4,993 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104368 , Reply# 2   7/27/2010 at 08:44 (4,993 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104369 , Reply# 3   7/27/2010 at 08:51 (4,993 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
The motor has definitely seen a lot of use. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the commutator has a groove worn into it from many hours of use. I'm told that Kirby doesn't manufacture these motors anymore, so I'll make due with what I have since we won't be using this vacuum every day. The motor still had the old style bearings too and they were dry as a bone. The front bearing was a little difficult to remove. I had to clamp it in a vice and gently tap on the pulley end with a large punch pin. That did the trick!
|
Post# 104370 , Reply# 4   7/27/2010 at 08:56 (4,993 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104371 , Reply# 5   7/27/2010 at 08:58 (4,993 days old) by luxg ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Very interesting Bill, be sure and show us how it turns out! Terry |
Post# 104377 , Reply# 6   7/27/2010 at 11:22 (4,992 days old) by joe22 ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
the metal fan is a thing of beauty |
Post# 104378 , Reply# 7   7/27/2010 at 11:23 (4,992 days old) by kirbyclassiciii (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104571 , Reply# 8   7/28/2010 at 23:17 (4,991 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
All the castings are polished. And for obvious reasons, I took great care when polishing the headlight assembly. Castings can easily fly out of your hand. This could have impaled me! But I digress. Motor reassembled with new bearings and carbon brushes. Fan reinstalled. Foot switch assembly reinstalled. Safety switch/front wheel assembly reinstalled. Motor tested. IT RUNS!!!!!! Tomorrow, I'll rivet the bumper onto the nozzle and fully assemble everything because it is late tonight. More photos tomorrow!
|
Post# 104648 , Reply# 10   7/29/2010 at 17:30 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
My apologies to all the Kirby purists in the VCCC, but I couldn't resist putting a black back on my Model 515. It's color scheme is now Matador Red and Black to honor my college alma mater, Texas Tech University. This bag is now the Kirby replacement bag for the 562 and later models (I think). The zipper on the scraper pocket was trimmed in white, so I took a red Sharpie and colored it red in order to continue the design theme!
|
Post# 104651 , Reply# 11   7/29/2010 at 17:33 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104652 , Reply# 12   7/29/2010 at 17:33 (4,990 days old) by electrolux~137 ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Very lovely! I've never seen a black bag like that one -- did it come from Kirby in that color? I'd love to see side and rear shots of it if you feel like it... |
Post# 104654 , Reply# 13   7/29/2010 at 17:35 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104655 , Reply# 14   7/29/2010 at 17:43 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104656 , Reply# 15   7/29/2010 at 17:46 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104659 , Reply# 16   7/29/2010 at 17:52 (4,990 days old) by kirbyclassiciii (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Wow! A brand new black bag on your 515? Awesome! As you may know, Kirby had made two different 10-blade impeller fans: #1189, which has the long spacer, first debuted with the 515 and was also available as a replacement for part #1188, which was a 6-bladed impeller fan originally used on models 3C to 514. The other one was #119056, which had the shorter spacer designed for models 516 to Tradition 3-CB. |
Post# 104661 , Reply# 17   7/29/2010 at 18:30 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
This fan definitely has a long spacer. When I reinstalled it last night, I first thought I had mis-threaded it onto the shaft. So I spun it off and spun it back on. I decided then that it was correctly installed. As for the bag: I don't know if it is a genuine Kirby bag. All the replacements I've seen from Kirby have a tag that say "Kirby" or "Scott Fetzer". So I don't really know for sure.
|
Post# 104664 , Reply# 18   7/29/2010 at 18:38 (4,990 days old) by kirbyclassiciii (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
@eurekastar What you really want as a bag for the 515 is one that originally was from a 514 (it has stripes that go up from the bottom of the bag connecting to the top and bottom stems of the "K" and the bottom stem of the "y" in "Kirby"), for slight fabric-related changes were made to the bag that differentiated it from the original one used on the 513. http://www.137.com/kirby/513_bag.jpg (photo by Charles Lester) |
Post# 104667 , Reply# 19   7/29/2010 at 19:15 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104689 , Reply# 20   7/29/2010 at 21:30 (4,990 days old) by luxg ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Bill, you did an awesome job on the 515!! Thanks for sharing all of those great pictures with us. Terry |
Post# 104696 , Reply# 21   7/29/2010 at 22:39 (4,990 days old) by briankirbyclass (Eudora Kansas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Amen, you sure did,,beautiful job. I like the black bag,,looks cool! I know what you mean about the sound of the metal fan vs the kevlar,,,there is a definate difference in sound. I have a Classic Omega that needs to be sent off for a Factory Rebuild, but i just hate to because the original fan is perfectly in tact, and the sound is amazing. Sounds just like a little jet engine. Just cleaned it up, put a new 4 row brush roll in it,new saftey switch, new belt, and a heritage 2 bag system doctored up to accept G series bags,,im in business!
|
Post# 104756 , Reply# 22   7/30/2010 at 16:53 (4,989 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104765 , Reply# 23   7/30/2010 at 17:56 (4,989 days old) by electrolux~137 ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Can you tell us where you found the black bag? I'd sure like to get a couple of them. Thx! |
Post# 104786 , Reply# 24   7/30/2010 at 19:59 (4,989 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 104787 , Reply# 25   7/30/2010 at 20:00 (4,989 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 104788 , Reply# 26   7/30/2010 at 20:04 (4,989 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104790 , Reply# 27   7/30/2010 at 20:11 (4,989 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
That would be very cool! I've seen the black bag in a couple of places, but here's where I get almost everything. This seller is extremely helpful with advice and is VERY prompt at shipping. His shipping charges are always fair and will issue a refund if things ship for less.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekastar's LINK on eBay |
Post# 104791 , Reply# 28   7/30/2010 at 20:13 (4,989 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I've purchased things on occasion from this seller too. She also ships very promptly.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekastar's LINK on eBay |
Post# 104794 , Reply# 29   7/30/2010 at 20:42 (4,989 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I've ordered two. When I get them I will try out the embroidery and let you know how it turns out. I'll probably have to open the seam in the back to be able to embroider, but can seam it back up again. This opens all new possibilities for color combinations on these machines that would be fabulous. Here is my original 562. I have a almost brand-new 519 that I would like to try this out on. I'll send it up to Racine for a polishing and then a whole new outfit, cord and bag with the original red trim. Love it! If I can perfect the techique, you'll get payback Bill. I'll also play around with the trim on the bag. I may use the second bag for a pattern and experiment with different fabrics to mimic the original. What fun. I'll let you know when I am taking orders.
|
Post# 104795 , Reply# 30   7/30/2010 at 20:45 (4,989 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104796 , Reply# 31   7/30/2010 at 20:47 (4,989 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 104803 , Reply# 32   7/30/2010 at 21:50 (4,989 days old) by briankirbyclass (Eudora Kansas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I think the hoses and attachments comming back from the factory for rebuilds are all black now too. At least the last several ive sent in have come back this way. Havnt gotten a machine with a black bag yet. The last time i sent in my Tradition, it came back all blue except for the bag guard, hose and attachments,,were all black. Everything else was blue. This was 3 months ago. I do know for certain that the long strait extension tube, curved tube, large floor nozzle, swivel coupler and crystalator are no longer avalible, and wont be replaced by the factory. Neither will they replace any shampoo systems,floor polishers,floor pads,Handy Butlers, hair clippers, turbo brush, turbo sander, or Handy Waxer's. Also all cartons, boxes, attachment carriers,not replaced in the FR. They are considered "Optional Equipment", and not part of the Factory Rebuild Agreement. - According to the last notice i got when i sent in a machine for rebuilding anyway. |
Post# 104813 , Reply# 33   7/30/2010 at 22:40 (4,989 days old) by kirbyclassiciii (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Got to fix my last posting about the 513-515 bag... (Photo: Charles R. Lester, aka electrolux~137) @eurekastar This is what the 515's original bag looked like, although there were only slight differences between the original 513 and subsequent 514-515 versions. I suspect the bag that was on it when you discovered it looked like a replacement (absence of stripes). In the 1960s and '70s, Kirby had the #190058 bag (models 518-561) as a replacement for all their 5XX series. ~Ben |
Post# 104859 , Reply# 34   7/31/2010 at 14:19 (4,988 days old) by a007kirbyman (--->> Originally My Mom <<--- (now Wisconsin))   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Again Bill, you've done a nice job on this restoration as well as the others. Black Genuine Kirby replacement bag. The price of this zipper pocket bag (190073) thru me would be ONLY $21.62 plus (applicable shipping for your order). *[SEE OTHER thread.] I am posting a link to a thread I posted on the Off-Topic forum, as it applies to both vintage & contemporary model Kirby vacuums. In case the link does not work, here it is also: www.vacuumland.org/TD/THREADS/SAN... Cheers & have a great day all, Bill CLICK HERE TO GO TO a007kirbyman's LINK |