Kirby Tradition saved from dump

[kirbylover66]

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.

 

[suckolux]

Sad what people will toss out, those are so strongly built and pretty easy to work on. Good find.

 

[cleaningbuff]

i do not see the after pics

 

[kirbylover66]

More pics

Had a computer issue, here are some more pics.

 

[kirbylover66]

more

Another before pic.

 

[kirbylover66]

Now the after shots

Looks a little different now

 

[kirbylover66]

side view

Heres the profile

 

[kirbylover66]

more

rear view

 

[kirbylover66]

side view

Heres the right side

 

[briankirbyclass]

WOW! Veery Nice! Excellent job! Look at that shine! Even has the original wheels!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

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

 

[kirbylover66]

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]

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.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

You need part #134380 as the safety switch, #154870 for the rug plate gasket and #122068 for the O-ring motor gasket.

~Ben

 

[suckolux]

What a glamour puss she is now!

 

[kirbylover66]

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.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

The date of production for your unit is approximately November 1979. Again, there should be a 10-blade metal fan.

~Ben

 

[cam2s]

Wow!

What a beautiful restoration. It really shines! Kirbys are such elegant machines, especially with that showroom shine!

 

[kirbylover66]

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.