Heritage I bag conversion parts

[vap0rtranz]

If I want to convert the older, Heritage I to newer bags (S type?), is the only thing I need the bag adapter? So something like in the Ebay link below?

I've read through forums here but want to double check if I need other parts too.

There's a Heritage I at the local Habitat 4 Humanity whose missing the front beater head so it will never sale. I'm thinking of grabbing it for parts and make my 561 take bags.

Actually a blue Tradition, Royal Classic, and Royal Everlast are at various consignment shops here waiting to be saved but my partner won't let me have them!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-Blac...-G5-Heritage-II-Legend-II-190484/153921706389

 

[human]

This really depends on how the Heritage I is configured. Some Heritage machines were set up at the factory to take paper filter bags but others were given old fashioned dump bags. I'm not sure of the proportions but my sense is most had filter bags, which would only require replacing the head on the fill tube as you describe, assuming Kirby used the same diameter fill tube. But the dump bag setup is a little more involved, albeit no more difficult, in terms of what needs to be replaced. On those, you will need to replace the complete bag assembly from the emptor on back. I had to do this on mine when I got it last year. I initially just swapped on a Heritage II bag assembly I had on hand but then a kind member sent me the correct orange zippered bag so now it looks the part. The H2 emptor and fill tube gave one great advantage in that the machine now uses the same filter bags as all my other Kirbys. That said, I do have a small supply of Heritage filter bags with the oval opening for which I have no use, if anybody wants them.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

vap0rtranz

Justin,

Assuming your machine takes the Style 2 disposable bags, for starters you can swap out the original Style 2 top adapter for the Style 3 version as I did on my Heritage 84, and you should be all set.

But bear in mind that the very early machines with the Style 2 disposable bag setup also had a cloth fill tube, instead of plastic.

~Ben

 

[vap0rtranz]

Style 2 paper

This Heritage has the Style 2. I unzipped & checked the paper bag that was still attached to it in the store.

So it sounds like the adapter that I linked to is the "Style 3" that will fit the Heritage I's fill tube?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

vap0rtranz

Justin,

Yes.

~Ben

 

[vap0rtranz]

cloth fill tube

Ben,

Your detailed note proved useful. The H1 did have a cloth fill tube ... defeated my purpose in buying it :/

So I grabbed the Tradition because ... Well it was $10, wasn't missing the beater head, beautiful blue color, and had plastic fill tube. Now to figure out a Tradition conversion...

Justin

 

[human]

If the fill tube is the same diameter on the Tradition as it is on H2 or later models, you're in business. Just snip the zip tie(s) holding the head in place, remove it and replace it with one for an H2 or later. You'll need a pack of 11-inch zip ties, which are readily available at Harbor Freight and other fine stores, to secure it into place. Black will look the most stock but any color will work.

If it's a different diameter, you'll need to replace a little bit more of the assembly as I did when I converted my Heritage from a dump bag to filter bags.

 

[lesinutah]

Tradition

Has a 1.25 inch fill tube. The heritage is 2.25 inch fill tube .
You can mod a heritage setup and use a heritage setup for the tradition.

 

[vap0rtranz]

well bummer

Well bummer. Maybe I only rescued a Tradition instead of converting my 561. Hah!

Heritage 2s around here are listed by folks at $50 or more. And the bag tube fill assembly is now $30 on eBay. Compare that to $10 for the Tradition and $10 for the top fill adapter that I already grabbed.

I may be able to construct what Vacuumtests did in the video below. I'll reach out to him.

Thx human & Les for details on diameters.

Justin

 

[lesinutah]

Heloful

There is a cheap easy fix to the tradition. The base of the vacuum tube where the hose comes out of the emtor. You get a hole saw bit the same diameter as the fill tube. You center the bit on the bottom base. Drill your hole taking the hose assembly out from tradition and put the heritage or newer fill tube. You glue then together and it seals and basically is the same as the heritage.

 

[vap0rtranz]

conversion done & bagged!

The conversion is done and 561 is now running w/ bag!

Here's what I did:

A. grab Tradition ($10)
B. buy Heritage 1 top fill adapter ($10)*
C. get right-sized plumbing reducers from local hardware ($15)
1. remove Tradition Emptor w/ fill tube assembly
2. remove original Tradition bag adapter
3. attach 1.25-1.5" reducer to top of Tradition fill tube
4. attach 1.5-2" reducer on top of previous reducer**
5. attach top fill adapter to reducer set
6. during steps #2-#4, bead up seams with silicone rubber sealant
7. replace 561's original Emptor with newly fitted Tradition Emptor
8. put on S style bag
9. vaccuum!

No tape was used in the making of this conversion. I'm picky about tape / adhesives . I also didn't need to alter the Emptor or bottom of the fill tube.

One con / negative about this setup: the plumbing reducers weigh much more than PVC. You can see how the fill tube is weighed down despite the top adapter being held up inside the cloth bag. But the reducers fit very snug, can be tightened, and IMO are designed for this sort of thing. By "this sort of thing" I mean they're designed to not leak but be pliable enough to fit snug. The Tradition's top fill adapter snap-on holds up the extra weight of the reducers.

Thanks to you all for the helpful pointers!

* after I purchased this on eBay, a seller offered me half off! pfft.
** if the hardware store had 1.25-2" reducer then a set wouldn't be needed and would weigh less

 

[lesinutah]

Supply

If you got a 2-1.5 reducer a small piece of pipe and 1.5-1.25 reducer it would work. I think the piece would be 1.5" long between each reducer. That's how it could be done as 1.25 inch pipe is only commonly used in copper.
Nice setup to make it work.