My 1979 Kirby Tradition Headlight Caps

[kirbyclassiciii]

I just managed to find a replacement headlight lock button for my 1979 Kirby Tradition 3CB on eBay (and priced reasonably at $7.49)!

Thus, I am going to show you three pictures of the insides of my two Traditions' headlight caps, in order for you to help me as to how I should install the new lock button once it's in my hands. The first two pics are from serial no. F324477, which is the main unit I got, and the third pic is from serial no. F315381 (which had the item in question missing), the spare motor unit I was given that I am presently using (this one has the floppy cap which won't stay up, hence why my hand can be seen keeping it up).

~Ben[this post was last edited: 9/15/2018-22:39]

 

[lesinutah]

Ben

I think I get what you're asking. If you look at first 2 pics it looks like a classic headlight assembly with a modified clear cover plate. Notice position of lights. It's like they cut out half clear assembly put over light. The last one might fit regular tradition but lock switch it bracket full light assembly makes it flop around.
The 2 screws on bottom could be to short. The steel pin holding headlight may need to be replaced.
Where steel pin is there is a metal bracket you have to take off to pop out pin holding headlight unit in.
It could be missing that bracket.
The handle lock switch on inside it's screed in 3 places. It could be missing a screw.
There is a few observations. I may be off but hopefully I helped you.
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Lesinutah

Les,

I shall look into it at a later date. But you are right that numerous other parts are missing from the inside of the light cap regarding serial F324477.

You're welcome for the help so far.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 9/16/2018-00:27]

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Ben,
See if the pictures #2 and #4 in reply 18 of this thread helps...
https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?33957_31

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

texaskirbyguy

Rob,

Thank you for assisting me.

It would appear yours (serial no. F481700) never had the finicky headlight-mounted speed switch to begin with, as Will Hemb recently told me there actually were a few Traditions with both the older-style speed switch (on the fan case) and the locking headlight cap from the factory, and his (serial no. F473758) is one of them, so I suggest yours would be too.

~Ben

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Ben, I am not sure if mine had the headlight-mounted safety switch or not. I had assumed it did long ago but was converted to the fan case mounted switch later on. The lock mechanism in the headlight cap, and the cap itself, had suffered from some damage from being forced, so my guess it was from frustration of the finicky switch.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

texaskirbyguy

Rob,

If they in fact did exist from the factory with the Classic Omega/III speed switch, that was probably to clear the assembly lines of the remaining supplies of parts for the headlight lock mechanism.

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

The NOS Headlight Lock Button!

Here it is... ordered it on eBay!

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

texaskirbyguy

Rob,

There might be a clue to verify if the present speed switch (134373) on your machine is original or not: check the back side of the fan case by the front wheel on the side of the machine the bag is attached to. If it says 120079 (as in the case of both my two Traditions), then it is converted, but if it says 120076 then the speed switch on your machine is original.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 10/5/2018-19:06]