Kinda trashed Kirby

[justjunque]

Hey all.
I've been talking about this Kirby in a different thread, but I thought maybe it should have its own.
I've been looking at it in a local thrift store for a couple/few weeks. It was marked $14.99. Normally, I would probably have grabbed it right away, even though I'm trying to cut back. But, it was missing its nozzle.
Today, I went back. Not only was it still there, but it was half price. So, I gave in and brought it home.
The good, I guess, is that it's a Heritage II Legend. If I'm interpreting the numbers correctly, it was made in February of 1988.
The bad:
Aside from the usual dull, spotted aluminum, it's missing the aforementioned nozzle. It came with its hose and upholstery tool, but the machine end of the hose is broken. And, taking a closer look at it when I got it home, I realized that the fan is broken. There's a chunk missing out of it. It might still be the older grey fan.
I looked up a video on replacing the fan, and there's no way I'm taking on that job myself.
So, now I'm not sure what to do with it. Wait until I have a new phone that can take pictures, and sell the usable parts on eBay?
I hate to. My nature is to want to save everything and fix it up. But, once again, I'm afraid I've bitten off more than I can chew.
Thoughts?

 

[captchar]

Kirby fans are fairly easy to to replace, I use a small Philips after the fan housing with its 5 or 6 screws are out, and an old ice pick in the motor pin hole just above/bellow the motor fan in the powerplant housing to replace, as for nozzles, technically speaking you can use any power head, if you bypass the safety switch, not recommended but I mean if you wanna franken Kirby from that era you could, also there's a few sites out there you can get just parts from too, imo even if you can't get a power head immediately you can get air powered brushes for the hose giving you still a usable machine in the mean time

 

[justjunque]

Thanks.
If I keep it, I’m going to wait until I find exactly the right pieces and parts. I’m a fuddy duddy about stuff like that.
I know it’s far from impressive at this point, but here’s a few pictures.
One of the first things I do with a used vacuum is remove the used bag. This one appeared to be empty, but I took it out anyway. I was surprised to find that it was a generic (Walmart) Hoover Type A bag. Is that something that those who know Kirbys are aware of?

 

[justjunque]

Also, I see some listings on eBay for the machine end of the hose for this vacuum. Is that something that can be replaced? The hose seems to be in good shape otherwise.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

JustJunque

Barry,

The Heritage II Legend was the first machine to feature the improved hose that did away with the aluminum tool end in favor of the carbon one.

~Ben

 

[justjunque]

Hey Ben,

That's interesting!
This one's hose seems to be in good condition, but the plastic part that hooks onto the front of the vacuum is broken.
I see just that part listed on eBay. Is that something that can be replaced? I didn't see how it could be removed from the hose.

 

[panasonicvac]

Those are my all time favorite Kirbys, hopefully you can hang onto it!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

JustJunque

Barry,

The motor coupling you mention was part no. 211084S and can be found on eBay and other places.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265279257560

~Ben

 

[justjunque]

Alex,

Yeah. Knowing me, I'll be keeping it.
My only other Kirby is a G4. So, I think it's kind of cool to have a pre-Tech Drive model.
The Heritage seems smaller and lighter. Of course, part of that is due to the lack of a nozzle.
I found a couple of videos that show replacing the machine end of the hose; one using a screwdriver, and one using needle nosed pliers. Whatever the tool, they basically fold in the end of the hose, which allows the broken end to pull off, and the new one to push on. I would think the pliers would be a slightly safer option; less likely to poke a hole through the hose.
Of course, the bigger issue is the need to replace the fan. I know, people with at least a little bit of skill have said it's not too difficult to do. But, I've watched some videos on that too. I can tell it's not a job for me to even attempt. Maybe the local vac shop wouldn't charge me too much to do it.
I do like the looks of the Heritage II. For a nozzle, I'd definitely want the one that has Heritage II and Legend on the belt lifter. I remember Jimmy in Tennessee posted pictures of some Kirby nozzles that he was just scrapping. I wonder if one of them was the one I need. Unfortunately, I didn't own this machine at the time.

 

[panasonicvac]

I also love the G4 as well, my second all time favorite Kirby.

 

[justjunque]

I had a couple of questions about this Kirby, but they probably got lost in the mix, as I tend to ramble.
I'll try to condense just the questions.

1.) When I took out the disposable bag that was in it, the previous owner was using a generic Hoover Tyoe A bag. Is that a common substitute for a Kirby bag in this model?
They're kind of spendy, but I know Hoover offers a HEPA version of the Type A bag.
Or, would the genuine Kirby HEPA bags that I bought for my G4 also fit the Heritage II?
It's going to be a long time before I need to worry about putting a bag in it, but I'd just like to know.

2.) Has anyone else ever replaced the machine end of the hose on a Heritage II?
If so, does the procedure I mentioned seeing in a video sound like the right way to do it? Folding in the end of the hose with either a screwdriver or needle-nosed pliers, to allow the broken end to come off, and the new one to go on. I'm just worried that it might compromise the hose, and the new end won't stay on securely. I don't want to completely ruin the hose in the process.

Thank you all.

 

[panasonicvac]

The bags from your G4 will also work on the Heritage II.

 

[justjunque]

Found a nozzle

Well, the vacuum itself still needs work, including a new fan. But, at least it looks more complete now.
I was able to find a complete nozzle (or head?) for $25. I like that it has the model names that correspond to what the vacuum actually is.
It’s not perfect, but I’d say it’s in comparable condition to the rest of the machine.
When it’s not attached to the machine, the brushroll seems a little loose. But, when it’s installed, it doesn’t. I imagine it’s because of the belt tension. Is that normal, or is there a problem?
It’s not going to get used any time soon. I’m just trying to get a better understanding of what I’m dealing with.
Here’s a couple of pictures. One with the inspector, and one without.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

While the fan is getting fixed just have the vacuum shop put it on for you. I mean they will gladly do it and save you the stress.
The nozzle will fit.
4/88 is April not February if im reading it right.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

LesinUtah

Les,

The date code you see breaks down like this:
4 = plant code (3=Cleveland, OH; 4=Kirby West, Andrews, TX)
88 = year built (1988)
02 = month of year (February)
02611 = sequential serial number
So, February 1988 would be the correct date of manufacture, and assembled at Kirby West in Andrews, TX.

~Ben

 

[panasonicvac]

The brushroll being loose with no belt on is perfectly normal.

 

[justjunque]

Thanks, Alex.
I kinda figured, but I wanted to ask folks with some knowledge on the subject.