Kirby Tradition that doesn't make sense...

[genemegamat]

I have a Kirby Tradition that I was getting ready to restore. It doesn't make sense. The back case doesn't have a plastic bezel, the power plug faces the wrong way, up and down not flat...the front fan casing doesn't have a serial number stamp, the safety switch is like an early Dual sanitronic with two buttons, the nozzle opening in the fan case sticks way out so the o ring seal is useless. The height adjustment lever is different then anything I have ever seen. I don't have a power nozzle for it and my other Tradition won't work because of the safety switch location. My Dual sanitronic 80 nozzle would fit but the lip around the front case half sticks out so far it won't latch. Does anyone have a suggestion or an explanation for this weird cleaner? And the back case housing and hood is designed like an early Dual Sanitronic with a step in it. Thanks for any help.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

genemegamat

What I see to the right is actually a re-trimmed Classic 1CR motor unit. You are correct that the speed switch design as well as the headlight cap design on the 1CR is shared with the Dual Sanitronic 50/80.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 2/6/2017-00:20]

 

[kirbyvertibles]

I have seen many of these. A lot of the classic were rebuilt in tradition trim when the tradition was new. I've also seen several sanitronics this way too.

 

[genemegamat]

Tradition that's actually a Classic 1CR

Thank you for the information. I was baffled seeing as how I don't have one of those in my collection. I bet those power heads are difficult to find... Especially in blue Tradition trim!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

genemegamat

Gene,

The Kirby Classic 1CR originally looked like this...

~Ben

 

[kenkart]

The original Classic

Was much better than the Omega, it had some motor problems early on.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

genemegamat

Gene,

What you claim your other Tradition's speed switch to be (see pic #2)... this version was indeed problematic as many users jammed down the cap trying to make the machine work, resulting in premature breakage. The headlight cap also had a lock on the side of it (see pic #3). Each of the front-mounted attachments had a metal pin that jibed with one of two positions of the switch, which itself was mounted on the headlight cap by the lens.

This style was only used on units bearing serial numbers F000001 to F500000, and many of these had been converted to use the Classic Omega/III-style speed switch mounted on the fan case below the suction opening.

Ironically, Kirby originally came up with this design so no moisture would get into the speed switch when using the cleaner to shampoo rugs. That also explains why when Kirby finally reverted back to the Classic Omega/III speed switch in early 1980, the switch had a blue rubber cover mounted over it (see pic #4) - yet that also caused problems in that the speed switch arm could get "sticky" in the high speed position.

~Ben

[this post was last edited: 2/6/2017-16:56]

 

[genemegamat]

Ben,
Can you explain to me why the front fan case nozzle opening has so much extension on it? I am referring to the Classic CR model. None of my other fan cases are like this. The nozzle o ring seal doesn't even come close to sticking out as far.
Here are three of my better looking machines. I am fixing the Tradition and my blue CR so I have some other colors. I still need to find a power nozzle for the CR.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Gene

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

genemegamat

Gene,


 


If you could please upload a pic of your 1CR's fan case I would be able to better help you understand why.


 


As far as I know, every Kirby from the Sanitronic VII through the G4 used the same O-ring that goes around the intake opening (part no. 122068). The 10-blade metal fan is the same type used between the 516 and through the Tradition (up to serial no. F999999), which was part no. 119056S but hadn't been available new since around 1995.


 


I like how you fitted your Classic III to use the Heritage II Style 3 disposable bag system (if that's what it really is, as the Legend II that I know the bag was from initially, could also have a shake-out bag)!


 


~Ben

 

[genemegamat]

CR case and Bag retofit

Ben,

The CR case is a part no 120070. It has the cut out in the bottom for the safety switch wires to run through instead of a hole. The Tradition is a 120079.

The bag retrofit is easy! A modern plastic emptor has the exact same oval shape as the Classic. I just cut the bottom half off the plastic emptor, then use Weatherstrip adhesive to bond the two together. I now have a large tube, modern cloth bag, with the looks of the old emptor. As a benefit, all the heavy stuff falls out to the bottom and is easily emptied. The 512 is done in the same manner but due to the round shape of the emptor, you have to fabricate a coupler for the two pieces.

Gene

 

[dysonman1]

The Classic had a unique fan case projection that fit into the cut out portion of the nozzle opening. This was done to prevent the mounting feet from wobbling out when the customer jacks the height adjustment all way down to the lowest position, as people do. On the Sanitronic and earlier series, running the machine on the lowest position on padded carpets would make the nozzle (after much use) 'wobble' and the safety switch out 'cut out' during use. The Classic fan case and nozzle were designed to prevent this from happening.