I'm in the same boat, just waiting on new belts to arrive so I can change it for the first time. I couldn't find a picture, but found this on www.fixya.com. As much as people love their Kirby, I was willing to try it. I still miss my Oreck, so lightweight and worked better than the Kirby and will get another one asap. Hope this works.
TO CHANGE KIRBY BELT:
On the front of the power head is a knob with the KIRBY name on it. Rotate this knob in a counter clockwise direction and it will "lift" the belt off the motor spindle. Release the head lever, only one direction it will turn and remove the head. Turn the head over on its back, turn the KIRBY knob to release the old belt. Remove the brush guard by turning the two release fixtures. Remove the guard. Pry the brush out of the head. Remove the old belt. While the brush is out remove any build up of hair and lint off the ends that's where the bearings are. put a few drops of 3 in One oil on the ends. Put the new belt over the brush and re-install the brush into the head. the brush will go in only one way. With your finger pull the belt into the housing and rotate the KIRBY knob until the pawl inside grabs the belt. Re-install the brush guard by engaging the two metal pieces into the front of the head and pull down backwards over the head and rotate the holding clips back horizontal. re-install the powerhead on the machine, lock it in place and rotate the KIRBY knob clockwise. You should be all set!
Cara, August 2007
