Kirby classic 111

[kirbykleankarpet]

That Tradition

Nice score on the Tradition! $15 is an amazing price for any Kirby! Does that one have a lock on the headlight? If so, you've got an early model! Also, you can tell by the serial number. The serial number is located on the front fan case just before the bag lock (exhaust), in case you didn't know. If it has an "F" as the first digit, and the first number after that is "4" or less (ex: F386431, F496352, etc), then even bigger congrats! Those would have the lock on the headlight (it's a safety switch), and a metal fan as stock equipment. Among Tradition models, those are the most sought after by collectors. The headlight safety switch was a nuisance among Kirby owners at that time, because it frequently broke due to misuse, and was often replaced with the Classic III safety switch. Nevertheless, big congrats on that amazing Kirby deal!

 

[toddk13]

Blue is the new red (Kirby)

It has a metal fan, and appears to be in decent shape poking around with a flashlight. The safety switch is not in the headlight housing. It's in the same spot as my classic III. The owner got the Tradition from a friend. He replaced the belt, bought bags, and decided to sell. He had it listed a month ago for $40. No calls. He had it on Craigslist for a week at $15. I was his first (and only) phone call. It runs well. It looks lightly used. I just didn't have the heart to offer him less. What strikes me is how such a nice vacuum could be ignored. Is the general public so brainwashed that old is bad?

Sad.

 

[kirbykleankarpet]

Unfortunately...

Despite the extraordinary quality of practically any Kirby vacuum, many don't see the value in owning one vs any old off-the-shelf model. Kirby owners are, despite how many of us are here on VacuumLand, not in the majority.

VacuumLand makes owning a Kirby look like everyone does it! Lol!

That metal fan is hard to come by. They are a bit more fragile than the Amodel fans (the newest material out there), but when it comes to suction, they can't be beat! Plus hearing the distinctive "ping" whenever you suck up slightly harder objects is, to me at least, pretty cool. (Or maybe I'm just weird.) Just don't go sucking up any coins with it. You'll regret it.

Best regards,

~Tim

 

[texaskirbyguy]

"Is the general public so brainwashed that old is bad?"
Sadly, the answer is yes for the most part. A used vacuum is probably as avoided as used sneakers, mattresses, and carpet. I can see why though, as you do not know where it has been and what it has sucked up. Bugs are often a top concern as well. The used units I got stayed outside in the garage until I tore them down, cleaned and washed every part, and reassembled them.
And consider these Kirbys are 30+ years old, most people do not think of being able to use them. If only they know how long they last and how well they work....
There have been some old Kirbys on craigs near me for 10 and 20 bucks and have been listed for a long time.
Good news on your Tradition with the metal fan. You did get a great deal on it!

 

[compactelectra]

I Agree Rob

Old is not bad. I have had a Classic III since I bought it new in Chicago around 1977(?) Sent it back to Cleveland around the mid 90's for a complete rebuild. It is still one of my favorite vacuums. It is the only vacuum in my collection that has always been out and ready for use.

Used it today. It is windy season in Palm Springs and that fine dust gets into everything. You can see in the picture that it was stored back in Chicago next to the Sentria. A good vacuum but I still like the Classic III better and the Sentria is now in its box in the garage. When they rebuilt the CIII they put on the paper bag unit and it now uses HEPA bags. One of the pictures shows many of my Kirbys including a Tradition. That Tradition was found a few years ago new in the box and it will be going on EBay soon. If anyone is interested, let me know.

 

[toddk13]

Oh happy tools

Classic III tools w/jigsaw $22.20 EBay. All the rest $50 local guy - Heriage kits, heritage bag with emptor and paper bag,nice condition classic III bag, turbo sander, classic tools that I was missing, and the hoover suitcase vacuum that I just couldn't leave there.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Toddk13

Todd,

That Classic III bag assembly I see in picture #4, is mounted to a 510/515 Emtor assembly (I know the Emtor's at least from a 510 going by the presence of the Sweet-Aire cap).

~Ben

 

[toddk13]

Classic with disposable bag

Well, I cleaned up the brushroll which had a ton of lonnnng hair wrapped around everything. Changed the cracked belt with a new correct non ribbed one. Replaced the torn bag with a heritage disposable set up. Adjusted the brush depth to 1/16". Clicked height to setting 2.

Wow. What a joy. I've used a hoover bagless wind tunnel at home for a couple years. It's done okay. The immediate improvement that I noticed is that the plush carpet feels SOFTER. Feels like it does after I extract the carpet. Huh. Yes, I am aware that I have a string holding the bag to the handle.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Toddk13

Todd,

All this modified Classic III needs is to reuse the bag top from the original Classic III bag.

Here's my 1977 Classic III with the Legend II bag system!

~Ben

 

[jeschbac]

Brushroll regulation

If I'm not mistaken, Kirby now recommends 1/8" protrusion of the bristles through the rugplate on these models. (Is this because of the new ball bearing style brushroll?) I have my classic series regulated to this measurement. The machine is happy and the cleaning action amazing!

 

[sptyks]

Todd,


 


Yes the new brush adjustment is 1/8 inch protrusion past the rugplate.


 


Also, your Classic III will clean much better if you install the new 4 row Ball Bearing brushroll. I made this modification to my own Classic III and noticed the beating action is much better which means it cleans my carpet even better than my 2012 Sentria.


 


 

 

[toddk13]

It beats as it sweeps...oops wrong vacuum

Can someone help me with what the updated ball bearing brush part number would be? Is this the same as would be used on the G models?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Toddk13

Todd,

Kirby currently only sells part number 152584 (formerly 156288) for all models Heritage to Legend II, which will also fit models Classic 1CR to Tradition. This has the magnet on the white cap end, which is only effective on the 16" wide nozzles for Heritage II and Legend II machines made since March 1986.

Kirby did sell essentially the same brush roll without the magnet for these same machines, part number 152581 (formerly 156281), but that had been discontinued for about five years now.

~Ben

 

[sptyks]

Todd,


 


Here is the link to the new 4 row ball bearing brushroll that will fit your Classic III. This is NOT the same brushroll that the G series Kirby's use.


 


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-4-Row...gnet-152584-/171368329534?hash=item27e659313e

 


 

 

[toddk13]

Thanks. Ordered it. That brushroll cost 50% more than the Tradition I picked up. I'm sure it'll work well.

 

[kirbykleankarpet]

With the new brush roll...

With that new brush roll, you will -certainly- notice a significant difference in your carpet. If it feels plush now, imagine how much better it will feel sucking up almost double what it does now! Since with the new brush, the carpet will be getting brushed twice as much (due to the additional two rows), it will thus clean more dirt in a single pass. Comparing my Tradition to my Heritage, it is absolutely no contest. The Heritage wins, hands down! Plus, the new ball-bearing brush rolls last longer than the traditional rod-type bearing system, as there is less resistance. Have we talked you up enough yet? You're going to like the difference! (I could sell these things! Lol.)

Enjoy!
~Tim