I own a Kirby!

[jmurray01]

Well, I never thought I'd say that! But, it was too good an opportunity to miss.

I was browsing Gumtree last Tuesday and came across a Kirby Legend 2 with tools for sale for £40. I contacted the seller and got him down to £35, arranging to collect it the following day, which I did.

The seller turned out to be a retired Kirby salesman so knew all there was to know about them, and we had a very pleasant vacuum-related chat, given our shared interest.

I tested the cleaner for the first time today on thin and shag pile carpets, also using the tools for above floor cleaning and even took it out to do the car (of course being careful for any metal objects). It excelled in all conditions and I am very pleased with it, even though I feel like I've slightly betrayed Hoover...


 


Here is a picture of it - I will take more and of better quality tomorrow and update the thread with them.  In the next couple of weeks I'll hopefully pick up some metal polish to bring its shine back!

 

[kirbysthebest]

Don't dispare

If a Kirby isn't your main vacuum, it will be like a mistress.  Even though you keep going back to your wife, you will always return to the best. 


 

 

[suckolux]

I think a bit newer than mine? My legend 2 is the black trim with silver.

 

[sptyks]

Jamie, welcome to the wonderful world of Kirby ownership. The Legend II is considered to be one of the best Kirbys ever made. It should give you many years of trouble free service.


 


Here's a tip regarding polishing your Legend II to a brilliant shine. Use some Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish and some microfibre cloths to polish the aluminum to a nice shine. Mother's polish is available on ebay. Post some pictures after you get her all shined up.

 

[suckolux]

I also used a Mothers mini powerball

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi Jamie..

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">And welcome to the Kirby family....as they say lol </span>

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I'm not sure if we have Mother's Mag over here in the UK so you might be best getting some "Autosol" which you can buy from most car shops like Halfords etc. </span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Also remember to only use genuine Kirby parts(Esp belts). </span>

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I'm sure the retired Kirby salesman you bought it off showed you how to use it correctly. </span>

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">You will have to show us it once you have it cleaned and polished up. </span>

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

</span>

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Here's a instruction video if you need any further help.

 

[vac-o-matic]

Congrats Jamie on your new acquisition! That model is the last non self-propelled Kirby. I'm sure your Hoover's will be forgiving! When you said you took it out to clean the car, it reminded me of the time when I was a kid, took our Kirby out to the driveway to clean the car out. Our driveway was a gravel driveway. I dropped the hose with it running, and it sucked up a couple of good sized pieces of gravel, and it blew a hole through the housing! Needless to say I got a good reaming for that, I think it was a rather costly repair. From then on, I was only allowed to take the GE canister outside to clean the cars!

 

[suckolux]

I liked the size and weight of these models before the self propelled started and the disposable bag too. Very reason why I found one again. Quasi grandson gets it at some point. He remembers playing with the last one a lot as a tot.

 

[suckolux]

seeing that promo film got out the buffer attachment!And yes it helps these old worn hardwood floors. Past wax is no party!

 

[suckolux]

Sorry Jamie, did not mean to hijack your new find! Enjoy!

 

[charleskirby66]

Welcome to the Kirby Family, Jamie!

Congratulations on your Kirby Legend II, the last of the second generation of Kirby and the final model to be made before the invention of TechDrive!  Nice little piece of Kirby history you have there.


 


I have a Kirby Heritage II, which is the model right before yours in black, gray, and red color scheme.  I use that as a daily driver and I love it!  It picks up like a champ and grooms the carpet beautifully, and for not having TechDrive, it's not as hard to maneuver on carpet as, say, the Heritage, Tradition, or Classics.


 


I hope you enjoy your new machine!  When you get a chance, definitely polish it up with some Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish, then you should totally take a picture with your new Kirby!  We'd love to see the happy new couple!  

 

[suckolux]

Agree Charles, my favorite model also!

 

[charleskirby66]

Suckolux

I don't think my Kirby Heritage II is my favorite model, but it's my current daily driver after my bestie bought it for me at a thrift store and we fixed it up together.


 


My favorite vintage model is probably the Kirby Dual Sanitronic 50.  I love the small profile and its ability to get into tight spaces, as well as the ease of maneuvering.  All of this with a two-speed motor, beautiful styling, incredible suction, and awesome grooming of the carpets make it my favorite.  I really love the light-up Kirby logo on the headlight hood.  So snazzy!


 


Not to take away from Jamie's beautiful new Kirby Legend II.  What a gorgeous machine that is!

 

[icee]

That's incredible! I'm very happy for you! I recently was able to make my dream come true of owning a kirby! Mine is a Tradition, a nice blue with the origional zip up bag. I got mine from a local pawn shop for $34! It doesn't have any accesories, and the metal does need some TLC, but it operates fantasticly. I will try and post some pictures of it soon! The Legend 2 is actually on the top of my wish list, so I'm glad to see someone else is able to have such an incredible vacuum!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Jamie!!!!!

This doesn't mean you're "jumping the wall", does it? LOL

 

[suckolux]

Probably just dipping his toe into the other pool John!

 

[jmurray01]

"<a name="start_30995.342676"></a>This doesn't mean you're "jumping the wall", does it? LOL"


 


Oh no John, never.  I wouldn't even peek over it...