Kirby Tradition saved from dump

[madabouthoovers]

Very nice, but how come the serial number etched on the old fan housing F447325 doesn't match that on the buffed up machine which appears to read F664620?

 

[dysondestijl]

Steve- I've just zoomed in and they both look the same to me

 

[madabouthoovers]

You need to look at them very carefully, the shiny one is definitely a different fan housing. The serial numbers are different, but I'm sure there will be a logical reason why this is so, such as the owner changed the fan housing cover for a different one, but those etched serial numbers are unique to each and every Kirby - on later models they showed the date of manufacture, 1811000354 means it was made at plant 1 in the 10 th month of 81, and the 00354 means it was the 354th one off the line.

 

[dysondestijl]

Well no offence but they still look the same serial numbers!

 

[kirbylover66]

Im not sure what your seeing but it is most definately the same fan housing. lol
Here is a closeup of the fan housing serial number. Maybe its the angle in the pic makes it look different, but thats the same housing as the one in the before pic, but with the new nozzle o ring installed.

 

[electroluxkirby]

WOW, looks fabulous!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

kirbylover66

Bob,

I actually need to correct myself as to say the speed switch was always on the fan case for this serial #... it was only those units prior to about F300000 that actually had the speed switch inside the headlight.

Rather, I should say your example would have the usual Classic Omega/III speed switch on the fan case, but with a blue dust cover mounted over it to protect the Rug Renovator belt from moisture. However, even that was problematic for it would jam the motor to the point it would always run on high speed, so Kirby subsequently advised its dealer network to remove the dust cover from the switch.

Your machine would still have had both the 10-blade metal fan, and the locking headlight.

~Ben

 

[DesertTortoise]

Someone was just going to toss that poor abused vac in the dump. Sigh. Nice save, your restoration skills are tremendous. Also, good eye to see that vac on the curb. I bet you always have an eye peeled for curb finds. Great work all around, bravo.

As an aside I have often wondered about sanding and polishing plastic vacuum surfaces that are scratched up but never had the nerve to try. I end up shining them up by hand polishing and automotive wax but leave the big battle scars in place. Anyone ever tried sanding and polishing a plastic vacuum like you would aluminum?

 

[jodan3399]

WOW! You did an awesome job on that one! She looks beautiful.

 

[kirbykid]

What size wheels do you use?

 

[DesertTortoise]

I can't stop comparing the before and after images of the front of the vacuum with the headlight raised to expose the switch. Wow, just wow. What a change.

 

[super-sweeper]

The really big ones! They sell them at Harbour Freight! 

 


Now I'm buying a giant motor and some buffing pads, looks like my Handi-Butler will be going into retirement!

 

[DesertTortoise]

Considering how you found it, I reckon you could now call it your Curby.

I know, bad, very bad. But I had to !

 

[ultimatevacman]

How do you date Kirbys from their serial number?