Kirby Tradition saved from dump

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kirbylover66

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Joined
May 15, 2013
Messages
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Hello everyone,
Im new to this site after searching the web for info on the Kirby Tradition that I found on the curb waiting to be hauled to the trash dump. She looked in pretty bad shape and when I got it home my wife asked what I was doing with "that piece of junk". Well after I got done working on it she changed her mind and couldnt believe that it was the same machine. I still have a few things to do to it, like getting a new safty switch. The old one was broken and held togather with electrical tape. lol I also need to get a new brushroll for it, Ive used it to vacuum the house a few times now and I have to say I like it better than my Kirby G6, that I picked up at an estate sale for only $125. barely used including attachments and shampooer. Here are some before and after pics of my Tradition, Please tell me what you think of the job.

kirbylover66++5-15-2013-09-27-21.jpg
 
I noticed there is a provision for the headlight safety switch, since on the outside of the headlight cap there is an opening where the cap lock button would go.

That would also mean this machine would use a 10-blade metal fan (#119056). That makes this unit a 1979 model (serial #F000001 to #F500000).

~Ben
 
Finally

Heres a pic of the front, I have the safety speed switch wired out of the circuit until I get a new switch. I also am waiting on a new foam rug plate gasket and a new o ring for the front of the housing where the nozzle meets.

kirbylover66++5-15-2013-15-28-3.jpg
 
front view

Thanks for the comments, Yes it has the old headlight switch provisions, but it must have been converted in its past. The seriel number is F447325. Im not sure how to deciepher the number for date of production. Here is a before pic of the front with the messed up safety switch.

kirbylover66++5-15-2013-15-41-54.jpg
 
parts coming

Thanks everyone, yep I have the motor o ring and the rug plate gasket were ordered yesterday and should be here soon. I buffed her out on a 1 1/2 hp wheel using brown tripoli, and white rouge.
 
Hi Ben,

Thanks for deciephering the seriel number for me, I had no idea how it went. I went and pulled the nozzle off and checked the fan, I counted 11 blades and the fan was a light gray in color and it looked to be plastic, maybe lexan? Maybe the original metal one was replaced when the headlight switch was replaced. With 11 blades its no wonder its so quiet and the suction to the carpet is just unreal. Ive had to open the suction relief on the nozzle just a tad to make it easier to move. Im looking forward to getting a new brushroll on it and seeing how well it cleans. You can definately see the nozzle pull the carpet up slightly when its running with the nozzle lowered to where it changes motor tone. I think ive really fallen in love with this machine lol.
 
Yes, in your case it is a replacement fan, as the first usage in the Tradition did not start until January 1980, after Kirby changed the safety switch setup from being on the headlight to the fan case below the intake opening. Like I said earlier, the original one was indeed a 10-blade metal fan whose first use was on the model 515 introduced for 1955.

Problem: Getting an NOS #119056 fan can be as rare as hen's teeth. It can also be found on donor Kirbys from the 516 to the Classic III.

~Ben
 
I have a Kirby Classic III (red one, the model before your tradition) that I trash picked a few years ago, and other than being filthy and full of cat/ dog hair, it works great. I also have a Kirby Classic Omega, (Brown, made before the Classic III) That is yours if you want to fix it up. As far as I know, it only needs a new on/off switch and carbon brushes. It was given to me a few years ago, and I replaced the motor bearings, cord, and brushroll. I hadn't polished it yet, and used it maybe 3 times, until the switch went out, and frustrated, I completely lost interest in it. It is up at our other house right now, but as far as I know, I'm going up monday and can bring it back with me. All I ask is that I see pictures after it is done! Your Tradition looks fabulous!
 
Someone would throw away a vacuum as nice as that-and fixable with a little work/They should be thrown out.Great job in polishing it back up.Looks like brand new.It does have the plastic fan-guess the metal one was replaced?
 
its always nice to see someone restore an old beat up kirby. that restoration is exquisit. wonderful job! i have restored about 10 myself, some for me, some for friends.... still have a ds50 and sanitronic VII left to do for my personal collection...

Will Hemb
 
Fantastic restoration job

You did an amazing restoration job. What did you use on the metal to get it to shine like new again?

As for other parts you may need. Check out Ebay's vintage vacuum's section I have no doubt you'll find the parts your looking for. As a matter of fact, there's a NOS Tradition bag up at auction now. I get a lot of my vintage Kirby parts from a seller on Ebay who goes by the seller name of Kirbyfans. If Kent doesn't have the part you need he'll do his best to find it for you.

Again,Looks FANTASTIC.
 
Thanks again for all the compliments everybody! Im proud of the way it turned out, Kirbyguy, its funny that you should mention the ebayer Kirbyfans because hes the one im getting the motor o-ring and the new rug plate gasket from, he seems to have alot of parts. I buffed it on my 1 1/2hp buffing wheel using brown tripoli first, then white rouge for the final cut and polish, its a two wheel machine so I didnt mix up the two different compounds. The original metal fan has been replaced with an 11 blade lexan or kevlar blade, probably when it was converted from the old headlight switch to the one on the motor housing in front. I found that by using a very very light touch I was able to buff the rubber bag guard at the bottom and the one at the top of the bag to a very nice shine so they look almost new. I also very lightly buffed the headlight lens the same way and turned out pretty clear and shiny.I have already replaced the vis a window and the blue headlight bumper with nos parts, they were chewed up and the old vis window had a nice circle melted into the center of it.lol All in all I would have to guesstimate that i have about 20 hours into it, most of that being the buffing process which I actually did twice, because it wasnt shiney enough for me after the first time. lol
Dustin, thats quite a generous offer, and I would very much like to take the Omega off your hands and finish it up. I would of course let you see the after pics, that would go without saying. You can email me, my email is in my profile, and we can set up a time so that I could pick it up, Jackson isnt far from me. The classic lll model is another of my favorites, the aluminum with red trim is really good look togather, the Omega looks the same just brown. I would love to work on it. Thanks,

Bob
 

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