Kirby Tradition Question

[louvac]

OK Guys.....I need help with this one.


 


I have two Kirby Tradition models that have floppy headlights. I have checked out some schematics that don't really show a spring clip that holds it up or at least gives it some tension to stay up when lifted.


 


Question is this: How does one fix this headlight from just slamming down when you change attachements?  


 


Note: This is on Kirby Tradition models with the speed selector switch located at the bottom of the fan housing. In other words, it's not the first rendition that had the speed selector switch located within the visor itself. 

 

[IL-Kirby-Fan]

Hi Louis

There is a metal clip that actually goes on the bar that hinges the hood to the top of the motor mount cast. That clip is what will allow the hood to stay up and not flop down. It's been a while since I've looked at the older models schematics to see if it's shown very well but if you raise the hood and look at the bar that goes through to hinge the hood to the unit you should see it, if not it's probably missing and needs one.

 

[twocvbloke]

Yup, there's meant to be a clip which can sometimes either break off or get left off if a non-kirby person repairs the machine, resulting in the floppy headlight cap...

I've done it myself, taking the clip off and forgetting what it was and where it went, only realising after it's been put back together and the headlight not staying up...

 

[louvac]

Thanks guys! It's just as I had suspected. One Kirby dealer near me says that there was not clip!  He says that it must have just gotten machined down from wear over the years. Yea OK Jerk! I will have to order that clip thru my vendor.


 


Thanks!


 

 

[IL-Kirby-Fan]

Pictures?

Will you post photos of your Kirby Traditions?

 

[louvac]

Photos of Tradition

Brad,


 


I will post pictures soon.....just need some extra time......

 

[compactelectra]

Brad

I know where there is a stash of brand new in the box Traditions.  Here is one that Dan Pontow got - coming out of the box.

 

[compactelectra]

And

Being demonstrated by Ms. Tania.  Still toying with getting one for me.  I bought one new when they came out, but it just didn't suit me.

 

[twocvbloke]

But it's not New in Box if you take it out of the box...

 

[compactelectra]

David

True.  But I always allow my self the joy of taking it out of the box. Close enough.  Still know where there are some that are new in the box so can relive it if I want to.


 


Fred

 

[fairfax88]

New in box Kirby


Who has them,how much are they and how do we contact the seller???

~David

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi

Hi, From what I remember there was a thread about them. Someone who had several NIB Kirby models not just the Tradition that they had up for sale. I think they also had a NIB Filter Queen and Compact off the top of my head also.
I think the thread was over a year or so ago.Time passes so quick.
Quite a few members off here was interested at the time. I'm not sure who got one in the end. They was quite cheap considering...

James)

 

[kirbymodel2c]

p.s

Fred great Kirby Tradition by the way!!

James)

 

[compactelectra]

Here's One Of Terry

Using Dan's brand new Tradition.

 

[bnsd60m9200]

how to fix the headlight cap issue

to answer the original question of the floppy headlight cap, i have restored several traditions/heritages (they have the same cap) and the non locking caps DID NOT come with a tension clip on the headlight cap shaft. the only thing you can do to these that i've found that's worked is getting two small washers and putting them in 1 at a time as you repound the cap pin in between the holes attached to the body mount and the ones on the cap itself. a new pin will NOT fix the floppy light. its the holes on the headlight cap casting itself that are too enlarged from excessive use and this cannot be fixed short of replacing it. washers are a cheap easy fix to get your headlight cap to stay up again. i did this on my heritage II and it worked great. only classic III and older models have the tension clip on the headlight cap pin.

Will Hemb

 

[twocvbloke]

Both my Traditions have said clip, and I KNOW the gold one was NEVER rebuilt, as that was an award given to my dad's former employer at a Kirby distributor (and had it's original motor removed to fix another Kirby that was in for repair)...

My two also have different headlight caps to the Heritage style, the gold one, being based on a 1980 model, has the parts where the locking mechanism & safety switch would have attached, but my blue one, a 1981 model, hasn't got all of them, but still some remnants of where the parts would have fitted, the Heritage sstyle hasn not got anything at all, so, the headlights fitted onto Heritage models is not the same as those fitted on all three years of the Tradition, the only reason for them being the same is if the headlight caps were replaced during refurbishment...

And seeing how I just happened to mention it, here's my gold Tradition and it's blue counterpart...

 

[sarasvacshack]

Wow

That gold one is quite a neat looking machine. I have always liked the look of the Kirby tradition when they are all buffed out. That royal blue really pops against the chrome (or viceversa)

 

[twocvbloke]

The goldie is a rare one, I think I've counted about 8 or 9 that are known about so far, and mine is number 20...

And yeah, the blue & shiny aluminium (when I can be bothered to polish the thing!!!) looks pretty nice, which is why the Trad is one of my favourite models, along with the Sanitaire S663 which is blue & chrome too...

 

[louvac]

OK Guys.....so which is it? Do I need to pop a clip in the headlight or not? Or will the Tradition that I have not accommodate it? I can get the clip from my supplier. I just don't know whether or not the machine will accept it, though I don't know why it wouldn't. 


 


<span style="font-family: 'arial black', 'avant garde';">Will </span>your idea sounds great and perhaps I may need to do it  unless the original clip will not work. 


<span style="font-family: 'arial black', 'avant garde';">Dave</span>, my favorite Kirby is also the Tradition. If the vacuum is blue and chrome----well I've got to have it!  And besides, I love the Tradition's hounds tooth cloth bag.  I know this model doesn't get rave reviews from most Kirby enthusiasts but nonetheless it's my favorite. Aslo, to me, the motor has a very harmonious sound to it. It's not so pitchy as some other models are. Agree?