I now own a Kirby

[justjunque]

Hey all.
As I mentioned in the thread that I didn't mean to hijack, I got myself deeper into trouble and picked up a free Kirby G4 that I found on Craigslist.
It's dirty, but it came with a lot of extras, it runs, and it was free.

Here's what I've learned about it so far.
The tank for the shampoo solution is missing. That's not of great importance to me, since I'd probably never use the shampooer. The only reason I'd like to have it, is so that the system would be complete.
I don't notice an unpleasant smell to the vacuum in general. But, there's a full bag in it. And, when you unzip the outer bag, there is a funky smell; maybe pet odors. The original owner does have dogs. Disposing of the bag will be job one. And, I don't think I'll bother to put a new bag in it until I wash the outer bag. I'm thinking I'll go the route of leaving the Em-tor and everything assembled, and just hand washing it in the bathtub.
Would I use regular laundry detergent?
As I've read is often the case, it does need new rear wheels. And, "hubcaps" for both rear wheels. Fortunately, it appears to be pretty easy to replace the wheels. Even for someone like myself, who's pretty much all thumbs.

In the box with all the accessories, there are a couple of small things that I can't find any reference to. They may not even be Kirby parts. At some point, I'll take a picture of them, and ask for your thoughts.
For now, I only have one picture of the vacuum itself. This is just the way I got it.
Please bear with me if the picture posts sideways or something.

Barry

 

[huskyvacs]

Congratulations! One will become many soon enough!

 

[human]

Yes, they do have a tendency to multiply when you're not paying attention. That machine should clean up quite nicely. I've always liked the G4 color scheme. When I hand washed the outer bag on my G3, I just used a small amount of liquid laundry detergent and it worked just fine. The thing you don't want to do, especially with it still all together, is put it in the dryer. Just hang it out on the clothesline or some other sunny spot. My preferred drying spot is the tool shed on the side of my house, which also contains the gas water heater. It stays kind of toasty in there and a bag will generally dry overnight. Even if you need a few parts, it's still a sweet deal.

 

[panasonicvac]

Awesome! That's my second all time favorite Kirby but definitely my all time favorite tech drive Kirby and in my opinion the best Kirby that's ever been sold

Personally, I'd wash the outer bag in the washing machine. I've tried doing it by hand before and the washing machine just does a better job. There's tutorial videos of one person that did his before. But you can still air dry it out, it doesn't take very long to do.

 

[justjunque]

Thanks for the support.
Another thing that it would need, if I eventually want it to look really nice, is a bumper.
I looked at some new ones on eBay. They're really not expensive, but I don't know what the correct color should be.
I mean, there were some light colored ones, which wouldn't be correct.
But, I don't know if the original is dark grey or black. And, it looks like it has the remains of a white or light colored stripe in the recessed area.
Not that I'm going to be looking to do a restoration. I just like things to look correct whenever possible.
Also; how is the bumper attached? Is there much involved to replace it?

 

[bikerray]

Here's a picture of my G4
The bumper is just stretched over the nozzle.
The stripe is a lavender color.

 

[human]

The bumper would be the same dark gray as the rest of the G4's plastics. The factory photo at the link below shows what looks like a white accent stripe. If you order a bumper for a G4, it should be the correct color with the correct stripe.

The G-series Kirbys had the following color schemes:
G3: very light gray
G4: dark gray
G5: burgundy
G6: black
G7 (aka Ultimate G): medium gray

https://www.kirby.com/kirby-owner-support/earlier-kirby-models/kirby-g4/

 

[panasonicvac]

Unfortunately Kirby no longer makes Grey bumpers for the G4 just like all the other grey parts, they now come in black instead like the G6.

 

[justjunque]

Well that's good to know.
They seem to be pretty affordable. And, if they're easy to install, maybe I'll do it sooner than later!
From what I've found, the brushroll is probably about due to be replaced. The bristles are definitely showing wear, and it's on setting 3.
I'm starting to see how it could be fun to tinker with them. They seem kind of user friendly.

 

[caligula]

Kirby G-4.

Hi JustJunque:

Congratulations on getting a great Kirby. I have a G-4 and love it.

The small things you speak of have been part of the Kirby since the early days. Most likely they are the inflator/deflator, and the massage cup. Also, a coupler to activate the motor when the hose is on the exhaust instead of the Sani-Em-Tor. Also there should be the lifter grip, or portable handle. The inflator/deflator is for blowing up toys, air mattresses and the like. And got the kids amused if they watched the home demo with their parents. The massage cup is primarily for use on the scalp, though has a myriad of uses too long to go into here.

As to the shampooer tank. The shampooer, originally called the Rug Renovator was not part of the Kirby parse, it, like the Miracle Head, and Handi-Butler were extras, but most people bought them anyway. And as with the inflator/deflator drawing in the kids, the butler was a way to get the husband interested. And it worked.

I think you'll really like your G-4, these really are great machines.

Alex Taber (Caligula was the cat shown in my avatar.)

 

[justjunque]

Thank you, Alex.
I don't seem to have the inflator. I've seen pictures of one, and I don't seem to have anything that resembles it.
And, I do have the lifter grip/portable handle.
The mystery pieces are different. Two of them have some sort of screen-like material in them. And one looks like an adapter of some sort, but with gear-like teeth on one end. That piece looks like one of the previous owner's dogs may have used it as a chew toy.
Like I said, they may very well be non-Kirby items that just happened to end up in the box with everything else.
I'll get them together for a group picture at some point, and let the experts have a look-see.

Barry

 

[human]

Barry wrote:
I'm starting to see how it could be fun to tinker with them. They seem kind of user friendly.

I reply:
I've thought the same about Kirbys ever since I first saw a home demonstration of a Classic Omega when I was about 10 years old. It looked like so much fun to be able to configure it in so many different ways. I was very disappointed when we didn't get one back then. I would have to wait some 40 years before I rescued my first Kirby, a Gsix, from beside a dumpster. And now, almost a decade later, I have more than a dozen of them. Scary....

The bumper just slides on. It's very easy, but you have to take the bottom plate off first. It might be that you could do that and replace the brush roll at the same time. And while it's all apart, it would also be a great time to do some polishing on the floor nozzle. Mission creep is a thing when working on a Kirby. One task inevitably leads into the next.

Even if Kirby doesn't offer the dark gray bumper, you might be able to find one NOS (new old stock). There are bound a few of them still around. Over time, Kirby has a tendency to follow Henry Ford's example on replacement parts, offering them in any color you want, as long as it's black. The black one won't look bad, if that's all you can find, but if it's for a Gsix, it will have a bright yellow stripe on it, instead of lavender. It probably wouldn't look bad, and it's just tape, so you could even peel it off, if you don't like it, and maybe even find some lavender or white tape at a craft supply or maybe an auto parts store.

 

[human]

The pieces you describe sound like random parts from the rug renovator/shampoo system, at least the one with the screen does. If you can post photos, we'll be able to tell you for sure.

 

[panasonicvac]

Kirby also quit putting colored strips on their bumpers. You could still find a new grey bumper for the G4 while they're available but they definitely won't come with a strip anymore. I had bumpers replaced on both of my G4 machines a few years ago and neither of them came with a strip. They did this to reduce cost because Kirby has been on a decline.

https://www.goodvac.com/Kirby_G4_bumper_p/k-prt-flnz-140493.htm

 

[huskyvacs]

Also you can just get an entire replacement nozzle. They show up on eBay every now and then. This one sold for only $12.00.

 

[justjunque]

That's something to consider too.
But, knowing me, I'd end up wanting to replace the bumper on the replacement nozzle.
There's a seller on eBay, (I don't know if I'm supposed to mention names), who lists new, dark grey replacement bumpers. I can't tell if it has the lavender stripe or not. I'll probably contact them and ask.
Really though, the dark grey part is the most important thing. Like has been said, I could always add an automotive pin stripe or something.

Barry

 

[caligula]

Hi JustJunque.

The parts with the screen like thing, could be the cap to turn the sprayer into the Suds-O-Gun, or parts from the Rug Renovator that does the same thing. If you post pictures I can tell if these are even Kirby, but if they are I'll know it on sight. I was a training manager for several Kirby branch offices starting with the Classic III. Here are a number of Kirby models in my display room back in 1986.

 

[justjunque]

Mystery parts

These are the small parts that I was unsure of.
I have since discovered that the small part with the mesh on it is called a Suds O Cap, and goes on the sprayer. And, the piece next to it is the lid/measuring cup for the shampoo tank; which I don't have.
The other three, I still don't know.
You can see how the one piece, which is sort of rubbery, has been used as a chew toy.
And the oblong piece is the only one that's a different shade of grey. Maybe it's not original to this vacuum?
Thanks for helping me learn Kirby stuff!

Barry

 

[human]

The middle item is a safety cover that allows the machine to run when the rug nozzle is removed and the hose is connected where the bag would normally go, in order to use it as a blower. The item to its right of it is the massage/pet grooming cup; however, I'm drawing a blank on the piece to the far right.