Kirby G4 No reverse

[scudo]

I just purchased a G4, needs a good clean but generally in working order.
One issue is the drive only works for forward so not for reverse, neutral is ok.
Any ideas what to look for before I start to dismantle.

thanks

 

[dysonman1]

When you take off the top cover, one of two things will be wrong. Either the handle pivot has come out of the transmission fork, or the handle pivot is no longer in the middle position. The two big black screws should be removed and the handle pivot set into the transmission fork. Make sure the two screws are tightened in the middle of the screw openings so it moves the exact amount of distance on forward and back stroke.

 

[scudo]

Thanks for your quick response.

 

[scudo]

This is the Kirby after I have taken the casing off, bit of a mess but a few days from now will hopefully be cleaned and polished up, I hate to think where this Kirby has been stored.
Fortunately with having some experience working on motorcycles I don't see any major problems in bringing this back to a decent condition.
I paid £15 for the machine (UK)

There is a couple of screws I need one being the the screw that holds the plastic backplate on the handle the one that is positioned between the 2 cable holders, anyone know what the type/size of thread is

 

[scudo]

Was going to edit to update but not allowed, anyhow here is the Kirby after a couple of days cleaning, now going to start polishing the casings.

 

[human]

Looks like that machine had some extended exposure to that damnable carpet fresh crap. The baking soda in it promotes metal corrosion. One brand of the stuff is called "Love My Carpet". I prefer to call all of those products "Kill My Vacuum".

 

[scudo]

"Looks like that machine had some extended exposure to that damnable carpet fresh crap"

That and a lot more, I am sure the guy that sold it found it dumped somewhere and just picked it up and sold it. From my original post it was the transmission fork that was preventing the reverse /forward from working, it was rusted solid in the forward only position but some gentle persuasion got the slide and bearings free,cleaned and oiled.