Kirby Sanitronic VII

[brianl]

Hi,

I am a new member (longer over at automaticwasher.org) & just purchased a Kirby Sanitronic VII today. While I only have a small collection of vacuums, I always had a bit of appreciation for them. Was hoping to find out a little more information & if everything is original.

Unfortunately I have not been able to get any accessories as of yet, & it seems like all the ones on eBay are the wrong color, or are missing pieces that I would use.

So far I just gave it good cleaning, as it was much dirtier than this. Replaced the burnt out bulb with an LED equivalent from Lowe's. Brush roller was pretty in tact as well as the belt. The metal fan blades are in good shape & the motor sounds good as well.

Maybe I am missing something obvious here, but while I am able to get the collar to slip off, the bag is tightly holding on to the vacuum. I don't want to rip the bag, so wondering the best way to slip it off for a better cleaning.

 

[hoover300]

It is all original! Accessories shouldn’t be too hard to find, I’ll keep my eye out for you.

As for the bag, there shouldn’t be any reason to take it off, but if you want it off, pull on it close to the emtor, and maybe assist it gently with a flathead screwdriver. I will say, it is harder to get back on. Especially facing the right way.
Great find!

 

[brianl]

Great to hear!

I am very happy to hear it is all original! It seems like so many of them have a different bag or cord, or both. I saw a VII locally with the green D 80 bag & red Classic III electrical cord.

As for the bag, I have no problem leaving it be. Since it looks like it spent some time in storage, as well having some of the previous owner's filth in it, I initially figured it could use a good cleaning. At the same time, I am not even really sure the best way to clean or dry it without damaging it. May be better left alone.

The motor sounds like it should & seems to vacuum well as far as I can tell. Is there anything I should look to oil with 3-in-1 (blue label) or another type of lube? Still have to pick up some spare brushes, belts, & a roller just in case.

 

[brianl]

Vacuum accessories

Hi, would this work with my vacuum & look complete? Looks to be a darker brown, which I assume is for a different model, but wasn't sure. Also hard to tell if complete.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/348804536726010/

 

[human]

Nice find...

First of all, that's a very nice machine. Ones that age often have incorrect parts as dealers who take them in trade try to make them look like what they're not with the wrong color parts or just slap on whatever they have laying around that fits to get them working and out the door. That machine should shine up really nicely if you want to polish it but it looks great just the way it is.

The darker brown accessories are most likely for a Kirby Classic or Classic Omega from the '70s. There were two different shades of brown. The Classic's plastics and accessories are sort of a chocolate brown while the Classic Omega, which came out later, had a little more of a reddish 'mahogany' hue. I think either would work just fine with the Sanitronic VII. The only thing I'm unsure of is whether the hose would be compatible. Kirby had a habit of changing the end that couples to the machine from time to time.

Finding a complete set of accessories for an older machine can be a bit of a challenge. Often, one of the hardest pieces to find is the straight wand, which measures about 27 inches long and sticks out of the top of the box. I bought a set for my Heritage 1HD that was missing the wand and a couple of other pieces, most of which I was able to fill in with some random Tradition blue tools I had on hand. I ended up buying a nearly complete set of Classic Omega tools to get the wand but that's okay because I just bought a red Classic III, which should arrive tomorrow. It has a hose and a couple of tools—including the long wand—so I'm good with what I've got, even if the colors don't all match.

 

[brianl]

Thank you for elaborating on the mixed parts and accessory colors. That’s my fear, that the hose may be incompatible, although looking very similar. So far is the most complete set I saw that has a close enough color. I am still deciding whether to polish it up or not. The patina sort of grew on me, but I also do like the shiny look haha.

 

[hoover300]

This is an original, with some attachments. https://www.ebay.com/itm/144079264144?hash=item218bcb1990:g:-2QAAOSwvM1gy5TK

 

[human]

Hose compatibility...

I know that G-series through Avalir hoses are cross-compatible only between those models but not with earlier models. I also found out the hard way that a Tradition hose won't work with a Heritage. I ended up getting rid of that hose and keeping the assorted tools that had come with it. All that said, I'm not familiar enough with the older machines to know what's compatible with what. You might be just fine with a Classic era hose but maybe not. That one on eBay may be a little pricey but is likely a good idea, just for the peace of mind of knowing it will work with your machine. And if you can't find the mocha-colored tools you need, the dark brown Classic ones will fit right onto the end of the hose. That end has remained the same all the way through.

 

[lesinutah]

If

Your mechanically inclined you can get various models accessories to work.
If you take the plastic n of Switzerland h off. The 4 screws off the motor housing. This gives you access to the power switch. He safely switch on the front has red and a black wires going to the powe switch. If you unhook the wires from the switch. You take off the safety switch by removing screw holding it into place.
This would make 516 to tradition hoses to work and every model in between.
This wouldn't limit you from using a classic hose.
If there's any typos I apologize my new phone auto corrects any word it thinks it should.

 

[lesinutah]

Ya

Your mechanically inclined you can get various models accessories to work.
If you take the plastic power button off. Then remove the 4 screws off the motor housing and remove the motor housing. This gives you access to the power switch. The safely switch on the front has red and a black wires going to the powe switch. If you unhook the wires from the power switch. You then take off the safety switch by removing screw holding it into place. Pulling through the front nozzle.
This would make 516 to tradition hoses to work and every model in between.
This wouldn't limit you from using a classic hose.
If there's any typos I apologize my new phone auto corrects any word it thinks it should.

 

[brianl]

Thank you everyone

All the info & ideas are greatly appreciated. I may just hold out for proper set with most of the parts I would use on a regular basis. Would like to try & keep what I can original if possible. Glad to hear there is a relatively easy route to go if I need to make modifications. If there is anything I should oil, please let me know.

Thanks for the warm welcome to the group, & hope to see some of you down the road.

 

[lesinutah]

The

Reason I mention unhooked the safety switch on the power switch is you just plug it in and putting screw back on. I hate safety switches but I also like vacuums to be original. I keep the switch buy if I use the vacuum. I use a new avaliable hose with a ds80-tradion hose coupler. It runs perfect with no leaks.
There's nothing to really oil. You want to grease the bearings and height adjustment aka toe touch.

 

[brianl]

Friendly reminder about changing old belts

So I finally got my new belts & decided to replace the old one. I was noticing the brushroll was slowing and stopping as I vacuumed. What a difference a new belt makes!

 

[repairman]

Your machine is from 1964. I know this because the logo on the model tag is oval shaped. On the 1963 models, Kirby used their circle logo before its revision. As for the hose, I know that a Classic III or Classic Omega hose will fit if you cannot locate an original. Your machine was the first Kirby to have an integrated coupler on the hose. Previous models had couplings for the blower and fan chamber. Then you would lock the hose onto either one of the couplers.