Thread Number: 9148
Kirby 561
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Post# 100718   6/14/2010 at 12:03 (5,036 days old) by stunnerable ()        

Question.. My handle grip seems a few shades less red and more brown than the rest of the trim on my Kirby. Is this from fading or do I in fact have the incorrect handle?

Post# 100719 , Reply# 1   6/14/2010 at 12:04 (5,036 days old) by stunnerable ()        

and another angle.

Post# 100720 , Reply# 2   6/14/2010 at 12:06 (5,036 days old) by electrolux~137 ()        

Yeah, I've seen a few Kirby handles like that -- it appears to have gotten faded from exposure to sunlight. It's originally a rich, dark-red color.

Beautiful bag btw!!



Post# 100721 , Reply# 3   6/14/2010 at 12:06 (5,036 days old) by stunnerable ()        

Looking at the pics it looks different. Not the cord looks off. IDK.. any help would be great.

Post# 100722 , Reply# 4   6/14/2010 at 12:07 (5,036 days old) by stunnerable ()        

Thanks.. I searched far and wide for that bag. I need a new front cover and a few odds and ends then it will be ready for the polisher. :)

Post# 100724 , Reply# 5   6/14/2010 at 13:07 (5,036 days old) by electrolux~137 ()        

That is a replacement cord -- the original has darker red plugs, almost maroon, and the wall plug has the Kirby logo on it. And it's 32 feet long.



Post# 100726 , Reply# 6   6/14/2010 at 13:15 (5,036 days old) by stunnerable ()        

Any idea where I can find one??

Post# 100731 , Reply# 7   6/14/2010 at 13:58 (5,036 days old) by electrolux~137 ()        

heheh... good luck! Ever hear the phrase "as scarce as hens' teeth"?! If those cords are not gently and lovingly used, the plugs short out and people get new ones or put replacement plugs on them. It's very hard to find an original gray and red cord anymore.

Not too long ago, someone listed one of those cords on eBay -- just the cord -- I don't remember exactly how high it went but it was well over a hundred dollars.



Post# 100733 , Reply# 8   6/14/2010 at 15:02 (5,036 days old) by stunnerable ()        

hummm.. Well, I have enough time so I will try to find one. I found the bag and I never thought I would find one in that condition. So hopefully I strike gold twice. :)

Do you know if I could purchase the ends from Kirby and buy new gray cord and have it made? Just curious.

Thanks for the help!


Post# 100734 , Reply# 9   6/14/2010 at 15:08 (5,036 days old) by vac-o-matic (Saint Louis, Mo.)        

I have the same cord on my 561, maybe at some point they didn't put the logo on the plug?? It seems odd that an aftermarket manufacturer would make a cord with the red ends, but who knows?

Post# 100780 , Reply# 10   6/15/2010 at 01:19 (5,036 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

At one time Belden Wire and Cable made the cords for Kirbys and some other vacuums.

Post# 100782 , Reply# 11   6/15/2010 at 01:55 (5,036 days old) by electrolux~137 ()        

Yes, in fact Belden made Kirby cords for many years, starting with the Model 505 which had a black rubber cord. Belden made cords for Kirby until at least the Classic III. Not being very knowledgeable about Kirbys after that, I don't know who made the cords for their later models.

Belden also made cords for Electrolux starting with the XXX and continuing up through the early turquoise G in the automatic models and the L in the budget models as well as the B7 and B8 floor/rug machines.

Belden also made cords for Royal, Electro-Hygiene, Filtex, Singer, Apex, Cadillac (vacuums, that is!), Hamilton Beach, G.E./Premier, Fairfax, Modern Hygiene, Regina, Rex-Air, Universal, Westinghouse, and many others, I'm sure.

And many other small appliances as well, Sunbeam mixers, etc.

Not to mention office machines.......!

These did not always have the standard Belden plugs; many times they had custom plugs with or without logos.

Here's an early -- and very UN-P.C. -- Belden ad.



Post# 100932 , Reply# 12   6/16/2010 at 14:16 (5,034 days old) by a007kirbyman (--->> Originally My Mom <<--- (now Wisconsin))        
Beldon cords...

a007kirbyman's profile picture
Beldon was acquired by Volex, May 07th, 1999. Beldon was headquartered in Carmel, IN. Volex was located in Warrington, England.

Here is a quote regarding this:

"Following the acquisition of Belden’s power cord division and increased production, Volex is now recognized as the world's leading producer of power cords."


As far as I know, there has been no other company making Genuine Kirby cords other than Beldon/Volex up 'til the present.


eBay item#: 260581471609 04/13/10 $51.00
eBay item#: 130373624633 03/17/10 $102.50
eBay item#: 190356629658 12/xx/09 $130.00


As for after-market, they attempted to make them as similar as possible to the genuine cords (& other trim & parts) as they could (hopefully w/o legal action).

I hope this info is of help.

Cheers & hagd all,

Bill



Post# 101542 , Reply# 13   6/22/2010 at 20:10 (5,028 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Here is My 561 Restored

compactelectra's profile picture
Pic 1 I agree with Charles Richard - this has to be one of the most beautiful Kirbys ever produced.

Post# 101543 , Reply# 14   6/22/2010 at 20:12 (5,028 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Let's See

compactelectra's profile picture
If I can get you a full view. How about one with Ms. Tania? She indulged me. She really isn't a Kirby or an upright kind of gal.

Post# 101544 , Reply# 15   6/22/2010 at 20:18 (5,028 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
In Answer to your question

compactelectra's profile picture
Joe - I think your handle grip is correct. Probably just a bit faded.

Post# 101545 , Reply# 16   6/22/2010 at 20:23 (5,028 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Don't You Love

compactelectra's profile picture
How Ms. Tania's lipstick (Max Factor I am sure) matches the hose and attachments? One last picture. Unfortunately, the attachment box got wet in the basement, but you get the idea.

Fred


Post# 101552 , Reply# 17   6/22/2010 at 21:23 (5,028 days old) by airwaylady (Milwaukee, WI)        

I remember our neighbors having a home demo with this model Kirby when it was new and thought it was just BEAUTIFUL!
They did not buy it and I was so disappointed, they kept their Kenmore Commander instead! Watched the demo and was hoping my Mom would buy one...NO LUCK!....Glad you have one for yourself, Fred! Really enjoyed using yours!

Tania


Post# 101558 , Reply# 18   6/22/2010 at 21:29 (5,028 days old) by myvacsrock (USA)        
RED = Eye Candy...

On a Kirby...Classic 3 and this machine

Post# 101562 , Reply# 19   6/22/2010 at 21:44 (5,028 days old) by vac-o-matic (Saint Louis, Mo.)        
560 in waiting.....

A friend of mine gave me a 560, all original, plus a 519 to use as a parts machine if I need it. My other friend who owns a vac shop here in the St. Louis area buffs my Kirbys, and this one is the next to go...can't wait! Red and chrome is eye candy to me too...the red trimmed Kirbys are my favorites! It must appeal to many, the local Kirby distributor said the Classic III was the best selling model for him to date.

Post# 101566 , Reply# 20   6/22/2010 at 21:47 (5,028 days old) by electrolux~137 ()        

Yes, I remember how thrilled I was when the beautiful Classic III came out in its glorious candy apple red trim.



Post# 101999 , Reply# 21   6/27/2010 at 20:22 (5,023 days old) by stunnerable ()        

Those pictures is what motivated mt to do a 560/561 project. It's the vacuum that means so much to me from my childhood. And I'm only 29. When I have all the parts correct I'm going to ger her polished just like that!

Thanks for the help everyone.


Post# 102004 , Reply# 22   6/27/2010 at 22:06 (5,023 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Yes Indeedy

compactelectra's profile picture
Those red Kirbys are fabulous. One of the few machines I have hung on to over the years. Usually I would get a machine and then give it away or get rid of it. This one I could never let go. Had it new since 1976 when I bought it at A&A Moley's in Evanston, IL. Sent back to Kirby for a rebuild, even though it was hardly used. Kept in my bedroom closet for easy access. What a beauty! Next to her younger sister, the Sentria.

Post# 102005 , Reply# 23   6/27/2010 at 22:08 (5,023 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
And Her Attachments

compactelectra's profile picture
Found new at Yeager's Vacuum with Tania in Kewaskum, WI. Always an adventure vac hunting with Tania.

Post# 102009 , Reply# 24   6/27/2010 at 23:06 (5,023 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
Fred, I notice you converted your Classic III over to the Heritage mini-emptor set up. I plan to get one some day because (I think) it is the last model with the shake out bag, though I know it was still an option through the Heritage I with the orange bag. I agree that the red trim models really look sharp. I'm working on a Legend II right now. My favorite G series is the G5 (although it is maroon). Just out of curiosity, will the Classic III bag fit on the Heritage mini-emptor? I really like that bag design and just wonder what it would take to put a zipper in it for disposable bag access. I would have to get someone else to do it, though. I would have no clue about how to put a zipper in something like that. I would probably never do it. I just like to tinker and experiment. And BTW, your 561 is a really beautiful vacuum!


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