Kirby additions to new collector

[rivstg1]

I found a great Classic III with all the attachments ( except handy-butler), I love having matching red attachments including even the Shag rug comb! I did a thorough cleaning which it needed terribly ( that shake out bag was filthy. My plan is to convert it to a heritage II mini emptor and bag so I can use Hepa filters, but for now since it’s not my main vacuum, I’ll use it as is.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Wow - that is a CLEAN set - congrats! Hard to find them that complete and so clean.
If this will not be a daily driver, you could fit a HEPA bag inside the shake out bag (after it has been washed up of course). This will improve your filtration while keeping it stock looking and the stock bag clean. I did this with my Omega and 505.
If this will become a daily driver, then the Heritage II bag assy would be best.

 

[rowdy141]

The Kirby Classic is not so common here in the UK. Quite scarce actually, at least while I've been looking. Were they USA-only?

 

[jrdavis]

wow

was my fave model as a kid. my favorite color was red and young as I was I didnt know the models I just knew by colors. I even thought they were still new models I didn't know...mom and dad had an Omega when I was growing up I called it "Big Brown Kirby" the Classic III was"Big Red Kirby" I always wanted a "Big Red Kirby" in 1985 I wrote a letter to Santa Clause with a big purple crayon asking for a brand new Big Red Kirby.

 

[kenkart]

Iremember seeing

A few of these new, they were the best looking Kirby I thought!

 

[rivstg1]

texaskirbyguy, how did you connect the HEPA bag inside the outer bag and position it in a way as to actually filter the incoming air??

 

[rowdy141]

You modify the Em-tor, or change it for a later Heritage-style Em-tor, which takes a Fill-Tube.
Install a Fill-tube.
Fit a new-style Bag-connector at the top of the fill-tube.
One which accommodates later Hepa bags.
The whole tube/paper (hepa) bag assembly fits inside the original shakeout cloth bag.
It's the outgoing air from the paper bag that's now hepa filtered.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

rivstg1

See the details here in my 505 resto thread, post #18.
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34158_27

Keep in mind the above is best for occasional use, demos, or for show use since the HEPA pores will clog after so-many emptyings. You can still have a Heritage II setup to pop on it for daily/weekly service. I have my Omega outfitted this way.

Of course I found it is no more difficult changing the HEPA liner than cleaning one of those nasty bagless filter sets.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Rowdy141

Alan,

I know the Classic III, along with its predecessor the Classic Omega, never had decent sales on your side of the Atlantic because of the fact they had shake out bags.

The export 240-volt editions you have also differ from our 120-volt models by having their field windings set for just one speed (which is the high speed - that which is normally associated with when we use the machine with the hose - made from the red and white wires).

~Ben