Kirby Classic III

[fantomfan57]

I mentioned in the thread I created for my Classic, that my next project was to be the Classic III.

I resumed working on it today. I discovered the bag I had is for a Heritage model, but decided to use it anyway. My issue was that the bag was designed to be used with a fill tube set up. I wanted to use the bag and use a more correct emptor. The only way I found I would been able to do that is if I swapped it out for a Tradition emptor. My issue with the Tradition set up is I feel the tube is too narrow.

The solution was to use a Heritage bag set-up, use the grey painted emptor, attach an adaptor to it, fasten a larger diameter fill tube and universal bag port.

On a side note, the Heritage bag set-up came with fill tube made of Nagahyde?

So I ended up with a disposable bag set-up for my Classic III. I am sure I am not the only person to have done this. I originally was going to use a mini-emptor, but decided I wanted something closer.

I will be using cloth bags in it.

Next up, clean up the outside aluminum.

Cheers et, Au revoir

 

[fantomfan57]

New development..

As I mentioned before, I had no idea where this vacuum came from or when. I started to reassemble it yesterday and happened to notice the brown ID Sticker shows this motor housing belongs to a Classic Omega, not a Classic III.

So it is officially a FrankenKirby. Pictures forthcoming of the finished vacuum.

 

[human]

Frankinkirbys...

To me, that's the beauty of Kirby's design ethos of evolutionary improvements instead of revolutionary change for change's sake. For better or worse, it also enabled dealers to aesthetically 'update' earlier models to make them look like newer ones. That's probably what happened with yours. Ironically, the non-cosmetic changes between the Classic Omega and its immediate successor, the Classic III, were minimal. The cool thing is you can make it what you want it to be and you don't have to worry about sacrificing its originality so it becomes, to an extent, a blank canvas for your imagination and ingenuity.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Potpouri

Had it lucky when I first started amassing Kirby's. Not only were they coming to me free but I also had a very good parts source who had a shop in the back of the local Kirby store.

He had a "wall of drawers" chalk full of every trim piece in every color you could ask for. Having been in the business for 35 years he had connections. I was in his shop so often he asked me how many Kirby's I had. At the time it was 16.

I wanted to convert one of my Kirby's to paper bag and since I had 3 Omegas that's the model I upgraded. He ordered everything I needed which was the handle,bag and topper and the conversion kit all that go to the Heritage II,which is what I was aiming for. Rebuilt the motor, put large wheels all around and kept the original floor nozzle. 23 years later and it's still one of my favorite Kirby's.Have fun with your Kirby III/Omega!

 

[lesinutah]

Franken

The omega, classic 3 and tradition share the same motor. The omega and classic 3 share the same coil.
I don't know I'd call it a Franken kirby. It probably got rebuilt by a kirby dealer and they put the sticker on it.

 

[fantomfan57]

TADA!

I am done for now with the Classic III. Pictured with the Classic FrankenKirby (with the Omega bag) and the free Sentria II.

The close up is of the conversion setup using what I had and obtained. Shown are the Heritage II/Legend Bag, Heritage emptor and Heritage bag guard. I did not remove the wheels which are worn, did do some reviving of the upper hook and headlight bumper using very fine steel wool. Still more to do.

But, the end result, I have converted it to use disposable bags.

Needs more shining.

 

[human]

The first Heritage 1HD I had a Type 2 disposable bag setup. It had the old style sani-emtor with the same fill tube as the later models but a different head. My plan for it was to replace the the head with a round Type 3, once I ran out of Type 2 bags. Of course, the opposite happened and I lost the vacuum (a story I've related several times before and won't bore you with again) but I still have some Type 2 bags, for which I have no use. My point, though, is the parts are out there to accomplish what you want to accomplish. That said, the Heritage II setup is a whole lot easier to source and I have them on both my Heritage 1HD and my Classic III. The former has the correct orange outer bag and the latter right has a gray Heritage II bag on it with the correct Classic III topper and bag guard band. The smoke colored mini emtor doesn't bother me one bit on either machine. I passed the original orange dump bag from the Heritage on to another member who could use it and the red Classic III dump bag has been retired to my barn for now.

Keep us posted on your progress and the aesthetic decisions you make.

Cheers!