Kirby Heritage with a surprise!
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eurekastar
Well-known member
I really like the metal fans and the way they sound, but I've never put one in a newer machine. I should do that sometime.
It really does make a huge difference. After taking off the old cracked plastic fan, this metal fan is WAY better. Just think how awesome it would be to have a metal fan with a cloth HEPA bag! That would make for some SERIOUS airflow!
The plastic fan in one of my Heritages-the machine worked good with the floor nozzle-but when I tried the hose--the fan EXPLODED inside the fancase.All kinds of age cracks on the fan parts.So with those older plastic fans--BEWARE-If they are age cracked-replace it.After another fan that Heritage worked fine.Was from a trade in pile.I don't think this is a problem with Lexan or Amodel fans.Just those older ones.
Rex,
The problem with the fan exploding on your Kirby may likely be due to the motor being out of whack (either the field or armature or both).
~Ben
The problem with the fan exploding on your Kirby may likely be due to the motor being out of whack (either the field or armature or both).
~Ben
For those of you itching to hear another Kirby Heritage I with a metal fan, here's one dated July 1982. Both the vac and video are by Adam Mercer:
~Ben
~Ben
Replaced the fan--the motor is fine.The fan was rotted out from the age cracks.In the early plastic Kirby fans-the plastic suffered from age cracking.Or the fan was stressed from hitting something hard earlier in the machines life.
Rex,
The problem with the gray Lexan plastic fans was likely the reason Kirby made the first couple of Traditions (those whose serial numbers started with the letter "F") with the 10-blade metal fan.
~Ben
The problem with the gray Lexan plastic fans was likely the reason Kirby made the first couple of Traditions (those whose serial numbers started with the letter "F") with the 10-blade metal fan.
~Ben
sptyks
Well-known member
Has anyone ever done a test with a Baird meter on identical Kirby' s - one with metal fan and the other with the newer Amodel fan to determine if there is actually a difference in airflow? If not, it would be nice if someone who has 2 of the same type machines could make a video of this test.
The Traditions I have or have seen have the plastic fans and front mount type safety-speed switch.Haven't seen one with the metal fan and hood mount safety-speed switch.Would like to.The fan that broke in my Kirby somehow doesn't appear to be lexan-its like some other type plastic-its reinforced with some sort of fibers.The airfow test between a like model Kirby with the plastic fan vs metal fan would be interesting.
Rex,
Then that fan you witnessed was a bojack replacement plastic fan.
Also... most of the Traditions that used the headlight-mount speed switch had been modified to remount the speed switch below the suction intake opening on the fan case.
~Ben
Then that fan you witnessed was a bojack replacement plastic fan.
Also... most of the Traditions that used the headlight-mount speed switch had been modified to remount the speed switch below the suction intake opening on the fan case.
~Ben
eurekastar
Well-known member
I used to own a Tradition that was given to me by a vacuum shop owner. It still worked too. I never got around to doing anything with it and eventually gave it away. Wish I still had it.
super-sweeper
Well-known member
Kirby
Issued a bulletin to ALL Kirby distributors back in 1980 to replace ALL Traditions with the problematic Headlamp switch with the regular Classic (Except the 1-CR, of course!) Style of speed switch. Don't forget- the Tradition had THREE different speed switch styles throughout it's run! First came the problematic Headlamp switch when the Tradition was first debuted. After that style of switch was declared a failure,
Kirby released a very rarely seen version of the Classic series switch. It had a matching blue Rubber cover over it (The reason for both these style of switches was to prevent moisture from getting into the speed switches from the Rug Renovator). This was proved just as (If not more) faulty then the Headlamp switch predecessor. It would often jam the switch in High Speed! Of course, these were also ordered to be replaced by the Classic series switch (The 3rd and final version of switch.
I'm very lucky to own a December 1979 Tradition myself-I was just out in the garage polishing it! It's coming along beautifully! I'm putting it on hold while I order a new trim kit!I'm lucky considering this Tradition hasn't seen a Repair Center since it was new, Thus the headlamp switch and metal fan are still fully intact!
Have you ever noticed ALL classic series models (Except the 1-CR) was extremely problematic?
The Classic Omega had the Rubbery ARMOR bag, which was known to plug up with dust so badly to the point it would explode off the vacuum!\
The Classic III (Just bought one Monday-$15!) had the odd Trianglely-shaped handle (I think my Classic III has one-Although that will have to be verified).It was known as very uncomfortable-some say it could even cause blisters if used long enough!
And of course the Tradition and all it's Speed Switch variations! Not to mention the poorly designed paper bag conversion-Looks like Kirby hit it right by the time the Heritage I came out! Especially if you ordered one with the 13' Inch Nozzle!
Below is my '79 Tradition-If I remember I'll post a photo of how the polishing is coming along (And it is coming along great!)
-Alex.
Issued a bulletin to ALL Kirby distributors back in 1980 to replace ALL Traditions with the problematic Headlamp switch with the regular Classic (Except the 1-CR, of course!) Style of speed switch. Don't forget- the Tradition had THREE different speed switch styles throughout it's run! First came the problematic Headlamp switch when the Tradition was first debuted. After that style of switch was declared a failure,
Kirby released a very rarely seen version of the Classic series switch. It had a matching blue Rubber cover over it (The reason for both these style of switches was to prevent moisture from getting into the speed switches from the Rug Renovator). This was proved just as (If not more) faulty then the Headlamp switch predecessor. It would often jam the switch in High Speed! Of course, these were also ordered to be replaced by the Classic series switch (The 3rd and final version of switch.
I'm very lucky to own a December 1979 Tradition myself-I was just out in the garage polishing it! It's coming along beautifully! I'm putting it on hold while I order a new trim kit!I'm lucky considering this Tradition hasn't seen a Repair Center since it was new, Thus the headlamp switch and metal fan are still fully intact!
Have you ever noticed ALL classic series models (Except the 1-CR) was extremely problematic?
The Classic Omega had the Rubbery ARMOR bag, which was known to plug up with dust so badly to the point it would explode off the vacuum!\
The Classic III (Just bought one Monday-$15!) had the odd Trianglely-shaped handle (I think my Classic III has one-Although that will have to be verified).It was known as very uncomfortable-some say it could even cause blisters if used long enough!
And of course the Tradition and all it's Speed Switch variations! Not to mention the poorly designed paper bag conversion-Looks like Kirby hit it right by the time the Heritage I came out! Especially if you ordered one with the 13' Inch Nozzle!
Below is my '79 Tradition-If I remember I'll post a photo of how the polishing is coming along (And it is coming along great!)
-Alex.
super-sweeper
Well-known member
Polishing!
Beyond the Chrome....
Beyond the Chrome....
cb123
Well-known member
Alex!
What can I say...You know your stuff!!!
What can I say...You know your stuff!!!
eurekastar
Well-known member
Here is a photo of the rubber boot that Alex is talking about. I once owned this Tradition but gave it away. I did not know the rubber boot was a second version of three Tradition speed switches. Now, I wish I'd kept it! That vacuum was given to me by a vacuum shop owner in Odessa, Texas. It was in his junk pile, so he let me save it. He was really nice to me, because he gave me lots of NOS vintage Kirby parts. He had them for many years with no prospect of using them. I used most of what he gave me and gave some things away. A very nice man!
Alex, and Bill,
The rubber boot I see was also used on some Classic III speed switches. I know, because a red version of it existed.
I know some export Classic IIIs such as this U.K.-based example has the rubber boot on the speed switch, but I've yet to find a domestic-market (U.S.) version of the CIII with the rubber boot over the switch.
~Ben
The rubber boot I see was also used on some Classic III speed switches. I know, because a red version of it existed.
I know some export Classic IIIs such as this U.K.-based example has the rubber boot on the speed switch, but I've yet to find a domestic-market (U.S.) version of the CIII with the rubber boot over the switch.
~Ben
super-sweeper
Well-known member
makes you wonder if
The Classic III was on sale in Britain in 1979?
The Classic III was on sale in Britain in 1979?
Alex,
Of course it still was... Kirby didn't really sell all that well over there until the Tradition replaced the Classic III.
Let me guess... did any of OUR Classic IIIs have rubber boots on their speed switches in '79?
~Ben
Of course it still was... Kirby didn't really sell all that well over there until the Tradition replaced the Classic III.
Let me guess... did any of OUR Classic IIIs have rubber boots on their speed switches in '79?
~Ben
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