Greetings from Oklahoma! ??? re: 1979 Tradition 3CB

[karkev]

Greetings from southwest Oklahoma. My name is Dwayne and I live about 45 minutes south of OKC. I've lurked on your forum several times today hoping to figure out for certain what year and variant of Kirby it is that I own.

A year ago I acquired the blue Kirby tradition you see in the photos. I gave a whopping $10 for it a local Goodwill. It was missing a few pieces but a quick eBay search showed me all parts were still available so I happily whisked it out the front door. I think I have a total of $60 in it now.

From what I read on your site I'm pretty sure it's a 1979 manufactured unit but I kept reading something about a light switch? lock? problem on these early ones and mine doesn't have that.

Also, mine doesn't appear to use paper bags. There wasn't one in it when I bought the unit at least and I run it without one with no issue. Is there a way I can tell for sure whether or not the unit was originally set up to run bags?

Also, the front piece ("Nozzle Complete (Less Brush) Blue 159579S") was missing when I bought the unit so what you are seeing on mine is a used unit purchased off eBay. If the nozzle looks newer than an original 1979 unit then this is the reason.

I have included the serial number in hopes of finding out for sure what year the unit was assembled.

The unit is my "daily driver" and I love it! I have always wanted to own a Kirby and would not take for this thing! I understand that it's a less desirable model but it's the first vacuum I ever wanted rather than purchased simply out of need. It replaced a very serviceable Dirt Devil upright and immediately outperformed it!

Thanks for your time!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

karkev

Dwayne,


 


This Tradition 3CB was manufactured around October 1979 and was among those that did not originally have the speed switch inside the headlight cap, but rather placed below the suction intake opening on the fan case (same as on Classic Omega and Classic III). That speed switch, BTW, also initially had a blue rubber cover secured over it to avoid moisture from getting into the motor while the Rug Renovator was being used, which was also the intent of the top-mounted speed switch inside the headlight (which also had a lock) on the earlier run.


 


Those models from that early run which did have the speed switch style that was on the headlight cap would have ran between serial nos. F000001 thru F500000, and the rug nozzle, hose, Rug Renovator, Crystalator (air intake nozzle), Miracle Head and Handi-Butler all would have had a metal pin to jibe with one of two buttons of the speed switch that activate the low (all except hose) or high (hose only) speed. If you look up information here about this, you'll see there were problems that led Kirby to go back to the speed switch style they previously used on the Classic III and Omega.


 


Does your machine still have its 10-blade metal fan (119056S)? It will sound just like my 1977 Classic III if so.





 


~Ben

[this post was last edited: 2/16/2017-01:59]

 

[kenkart]

If that

Chambers range is yours, You have VERY good taste!!!

 

[KirbyCollector01]

That fan Ben is showing is a grey lexan
Here's a metal fan

 

[sptyks]

Dwayne,


 


Your Tradition has a shake out cloth bag and is not designed to use paper bags.


 


After every 2-3 uses you should vigorously shake the bag for about 10 seconds with the power off. Then place your machine on top of some opened out newspaper pages and open the trap door on the bottom of the Sani-emptor and let all the dirt fall onto the newspaper. Then move the vacuum to the side, off the newspaper. Now roll the  newspaper up tightly and toss it in the trash. This is the proper method for emptying the dirt from your Kirby Tradition.


 


Your Tradition can be converted to use paper bags, but I recommend against doing so because it will reduce the airflow going through the vacuum and thus will also noticeably  reduce the Tradition's cleaning performance.


 


 

 

[jscarlato]

Before you shake down the bag, it's good to lower the rug nozzle all the way to the floor to minimize dust from "backtracking" into the air.

 

[paul]

Karkev,

Your Tradition 3CB is no less desirable than other models. I've discovered that there are some on this forum that attempt to promote their favorite time periods, models, styles, performance and colors by putting others' down (but they have a fit if anyone says anything negative about theirs). Don't give such comments any validity unless they state inferior engineering, quality or performance. Keep in mind, though, that every cleaner has flaws.

Many have a fondness for the Kirby Tradition for a variety of reasons. I am one of them. I like its royal blue color, "wing tip" rug nozzle, and performance.

So, congratulations getting the cleaner you'd wanted and enjoy its deep-cleaning ability! I encourage you to check for Kirby dealers in your area to see if you can get the accessories.

Here's the link to the online manual in case you don't have one: http://kirbywhq.powweb.com/manuals/tradition/index.html

 

[karkev]

wow! what friendly folks! THANK YOU!

folks, thank you for all the kind words and great information. the quality of the old girl is incredible! I use or clean on it daily and am pondering with the idea of polishing the case. I think my wife is jealous of it!

thanks for clarification of the paper bag issue! I did not want to misuse the machine! I mentioned I lurked here quite a bit and noticed that many of the users here are former Kirby salesmen and repair men! That is incredible and made for some great reading! THANK YOU GUYS FOR SHARING YOUR WISDOM! It was wonderful to read your contemporary contrasting individual initial impressions of new models as well as their respective field reliability and quirks!

kenkart, you have a good eye! yes, the old Chambers Model 90c is mine! I purchased it in July of last year from a young couple who had just purchased the house where the stove had be installed new in 1954. The stove was used from 1954 until 1966 when it was retired and moved into the basement. It sat untouched for fifty years until the young couple delivered it to me. The wife and I cleaned on it for two weeks (pic related) and have been cooking with it since!

I like old stuff. I just rewired the yellow lamp that a neighbor was leaving for the garbage truck, the '55 is my daily driver (well, in town anyway) and the house is 115 years old. My wife and I are both mid-40s and spent lots of times with our grandparents who were born in 1909 and 1914 so we're kind of old souls.

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and for taking the time to help me

 

[jscarlato]

Wow . . .

I really like that yellow lamp. Congrats. It's a great vintage pop of color in any home.

 

[reo580]

I like that stove, I LOVE that Two-Ten.
That's your daily driver? How long have you had it?