Kirby G3 - Garage Sale Jackpot (and questions)

[turboace]

Hi All,

Every since I finally came out of the vacuum closet and had such a great time and felt so welcome at the convention in Omaha, my collection has been growing by leaps and bounds. One recent addition was a Kirby G3 complete with every single attachment it was supposed to come with from a little old lady at a garage sale for a whopping $10. It worked fine when I got it, the only issue was the handle was a little loose, like wobbly. So, I took it apart, washed, scrubbed, polished, and gave it the full spa treatment. I stripped off all the aluminum parts and buffed them on my polishing wheel with Tripoli (brown) then the white one. Brought it up to a nice shine. I ordered and replaced the brush roll and nozzle bumper, and upgraded to the allergen filtration bags. This vac might just be my new favorite, it’s my first Kirby.

My technical question is related to the handle and the tech-drive. When I had it apart, I found what I determined to be the cause of the loose handle. The thingy the handle snaps into is attached to the power plant with two black Philips head screws into a sliding plate. These two screws were loose, and they go into slots, which offer an adjustment. I tightened the screws down in the middle of each of their respective slots. The tech drive seems to work fine now, but it goes faster in the back stroke than in the forward push. I'm thinking the adjustment in those slots has something to do with this. Any advice?

Also, since I'm obviously no Kirby expert, anything else I should do to this machine? I am also curious as to the difference in the G series and later models. What changes were made between them, aside from cosmetic? Stronger motor, more power, did they address faults? Curious.

I'll try to get some pics up this weekend when I have more time. Bummer is I forgot to take before pics, so all I have is after.

Thanks in advance.

Andy

 

[kc_kirby]

Kirby G3

Andy,

I'm not sure why it goes faster in reverse than forward, maybe someone else can chime in on that. I can tell you that the G4 and later models have a handle spring around where those black metal screws are to make it more controllable so it doesn't take off on you and pull you around. Your G3 has space for it, it just probably doesn't have it. You can get the handle spring from a Kirby parts place like Hesco. As far as other differences, they are minor. Like the Emtor design was improved on the G6 and if you buy a new G3 emtor now, it is the same design and it is the correct color. Also, the brushroll improved over time so a later model brushroll might be in order if you are so inclined. I think that's about all of the major changes I can think of. I got a G3 recently myself for $10 also. I haven't had a chance to give it the spa treatment but I plan to do that soon. I'm glad to hear from you, I was wondering if you'd ever post on the list since I met you at the convention.

 

[petek]

I can't dig my G3 out at the moment it's buried but there should be a small slider switch at the bottom of the handle left side? that adjusts the forward/backwards movement. It's not on the G4

 

[turboace]

Nope, that litte slider controls the handle movement. It allows you to put the handle all the way down to go under things, or, to make it so you can lift the head over a threshold or onto carpet from a bare floor. The tech drive must have something to do with those screws and the slots.

 

[petek]

Hmmmmm not that I'm disagreeing but I'll hafta go dig it out now and have a look

 

[petek]

And you're right LOL

 

[turboace]

Thanks for checking, and big thanks for responding to my thread. Things here are very quiet lately, I'll have to get some pics on, maybe that will help...

 

[kirbyvacuum]

Hi Andrew I ALSO HAVE THE G3 SINCE 1991. i HAVE GIVEN IT VERY HEAVY USE . TWO YEARS AGO HAD THE SWITCH CHANGED AND WHEN IT WAS TWO WEEKD OLD THE TRANNIE BROKE THAT WAS CHANGED FREE OF CHARGE FROM KIRBY My Kirby WORKS THE SAME BACK AND FOWARD IT DOES MAKE MORE NOISE BACKWARD.HOPE THIS HELPS. LET ME NO. TAKE CARE DOUG

 

[msalisbury77]

The problem you are experiancing is related to the screws you tightened. Loosen the screws just a bit and slide the handle yoke assembly forward just a bit and then try, keep going untill it feels equal in both directions with the drive running.