Kirby G3 Restoration

VacuumLand – Vintage & Modern Vacuum Enthusiasts

Help Support VacuumLand:

vacfanatic

vacfanatic

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Messages
710
Location
Omaha, NE
I have a friend at work who I am restoring her 1990 Kirby G3 for free. She is just paying for the parts. A 55" front heavy TV fell over on top of the Kirby, smashing the handle right in half. I'll take after pictures of the restoration once it's complete. Note the transmission has a cogged belt that snapped, which is why it no longer works. I don't think you can buy the internal belt, so I just ordered a used transmission from ebay for $12. I will be replacing the handle assembly, new bag fill tube, new brushroll, new fan, new transmission, new lightbulb, new hubcap for rear wheel, and polishing to restore shine. Parts total will be around $112.

View attachment 1-22-2009-12-58-34--vacfanatic.jpg
 
Andrew, you aren't supposed to try and fix the transmission. I see you opened it up. I know you got another one, but I would say the old one is now ruined for sure. You can still buy the cogged belt for it, I think Hesco has it and I'm sure Kirby would sell you one too. Oh, while you are at it I recommend putting in a handle spring that the G4 and up Kirby's had so the handle returns to the neutral position on its own. I have done this before to some G3's that I have had in the past so I know its possible. Good luck on the restoration.

Chad Cunningham
 
Transmission

I tore the transmission apart because it was a good reason to. Since I am replacing it, I was curious to know how it worked inside, otherwise I would not have done it. And believe it or not, it's not hard to put back together. I already reassembled the transmission. If I had not already purchased a replacement transmission, and knew where to get the internal cogged belt quickly, I could restore the original transmission.
 
2 different belts

There is a second wider, bigger geared belt inside the transmission casing that I would need in this case. When I took out the 3 screws and pulled the transmission casing open, the geared belt inside was laying of course it had broken. The geared belt between the transmission and motor, that is exposed, is fine.
 
Always a surprising nugget to be panned on this site.

Brave work Andrew, cracking a Kirby Transmission.

Alex, What a terrific resource that link turns out to be.

Yes, I know he's located more than halfway across the continent but the prices for parts and international shipping seem reasonable to me.

The G5 I got a while back has a makeshift headlight lens cut from a flat sheet of clear plastic and the lower cord hook has been broken and sawn off the back plate...this fellow Kent at Vacuum Needs has both these individual parts as well as all kindsa colors of cords and hubcaps and oh my...

Dave

1-22-2009-20-52-5--aeoliandave.jpg
 
Polishing

I bought an 8" Bench Polisher last night, been wanting to get one anyway. This was the result of 45 minutes of work. It was not too messy, but when I took my shower the water from my hair was grey. Feel sorry for the guys who have to do this for a living at Kirby! Anyway, here is the results after the first polishing. I plan to do another with a finishing compound. And yes, I'm sure you are all wondering, I only about tore my arm off once using the machine. Scary.

1-24-2009-09-41-22--vacfanatic.jpg
 

Similar threads

J
Well, I finally did it.
Replies
12
Views
63
lesinutah
lesinutah
B
My recent find, a Hoover ultra self propelled windtunnel model U6425-920
Replies
4
Views
30
abobotek
A
P
Kirby R model -- My Sales Experience
Replies
11
Views
33
kwalsh97214
kwalsh97214
K
My First Kirby - Heritage II - Restoration Thread
Replies
8
Views
9
kirbynoob
K
Y
Hoover Junior Dirt Searcher Model 1354A Restoration
Replies
3
Views
11
yavuzss
Y

Latest posts

Back
Top