My favorite vacuum of all time found at last!!!!

[vac_whisperer]

This could go either in the vintage or contemporary, but I'll put it here. Can you guess? KIRBY TRADITION!!!!! Found it at a Christian thrift shop for $20.00! No tools or hose, though. It needs a good polishing, so tonight I'll take the Nevr-Dull to it... Also, any suggestions for a stuck zipper?

VW

 

[brandon_w_t]

Congrats! The tradition was a great kirby indeed!

For a stuck zipper, when in doubt, 3-in-1 oil. One of my favorite tools. Drip a little into the sipper mechanism, and wiggle it around a little.

 

[vac_whisperer]

I think theres a flaw in the zipper- the little teeth look as if they came apart. I tried to use soap to get it undone. Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to take some pictures tomorrow when it's light out- I've had to take pictures on my video camera and it doesn't have a flash... :S

VW

 

[kirbyds80]

Not exactlly the best...

As some of you Kirby salesman may already know the Tradition was an ok vacuum, but wasn't the best. Do you remember having headlight lense break because the safety swtich was in the wrong place? How and why does this happen?
-Jayson

 

[jfalberti]

Lens cap/safety switch breakage

on the first run Traditions occurred because people weren't careful when changing attachments and the pin to activate the switch was in the wrong position. Force the headlight cap closed, and there goes the switch. I sold the Tradition, and I have to disagree. The Tradition was a fine machine. The color, first Kirby with a factory disposable bag option, all made it a very good machine. Sold a hell of a lot of them. Took a lot of older Kirbys in on trade just because of the bag. The safety switch problem was corrected mid run when Kirby went back to the Classic Omega/Classic III switch.

 

[kenkart]

Tradition..

I thought they were beautiful, our local Kirby store was my hang out in the early 80s so I saw tons of them, Buell and Janet Pearson helped me more than anyone can know, she did all the repair work, and taught me tons of tricks in repairing Kirbys, she buffed all the used machines with a handi butler, and did the best job of anyone I ever saw, they always let me go in the trade in room and anything old I bought for practically nothing!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Isn't it great when you find

your long-eluding favorite?

 

[vac_whisperer]

Yes! I have been looking for this vacuum ever since I laid eyes on a picture of one a few years ago! It's my all-time favorite vacuum and it's finally MINE!

VW

 

[vac_whisperer]

Pictures!

 

[vac_whisperer]

No, it doesn't. When I got it the belt was just fine, but when they tested it, the belt must have not been connected.

 

[vac_whisperer]

This is where the zipper is stuck. The teeth on the zipper are a little crooked in that spot. Any suggestions...?

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

that's great

No matter how any of us might feel about the Tradition I am happy for you.... it's so great to finally get a "dream machine"! Congrats!

I too have seen vacuum cleaners that said "need belt" at thrift shops.... one of them was a DIRECT DRIVE and the brushroll was just turned off.... too many Kirbys where the belt lifter was just in the off position...

 

[vac_whisperer]

Yes, like I said, my favorite vacuum of all time! I made a steal, too! Only $20.00!!

PS: Are the safety switches or the Trad the same as on the Classic O and Classic III?

VW

 

[kirbyds80]

Mister we srunk our mom

Has anyone here seen the promo video on the G4 video owner's manual called Mister We Srunk Our Mom? It was a promo for Kirbys then new Micron Magic Filtration system.
-Jayson