My First Kirby - Heritage II - Restoration Thread

[kirbynoob]

Hi All,

After asking a question a couple of weeks ago, I bit the bullet and bought this for £20 here in the UK from ebay.

I have included the only photo of it in the listing, then the other ones are from me now that I have it after a quick dust down as it was horrendous.

From the serial, I 'think', it's a February 1985 from Ohio? (Please correct if wrong).

Noticed it must be early as has a shapped nozzle with no light.

Is this the 'Turbo' model as per the belt lifter and the 80s grid pattern on the fork? If so, what is 'Turbo' about it?

I am a total 'Noob' to these Vacuums so anything you can tell me would be appreciated.

Photos attached.

I can't wait to get to work on restoring this. If anybody in the UK has good parts shops, online stores etc for parts, again much appreciated.

I know for a fact I need the nozzle gasket that fits to the main housing, I want a new brush bar, new belt, ideally new wheels (nothing wrong with current ones really but I want them shiny and new) and hub caps (Dented), the plastic hand grip/handle.

It does work, the motor sounds lovely and smooth and was surprising the amount of airflow felt from the bag side on testing. (bag is filty filthy so that is my first mission).

Looking forward to me journey with this

Kindest Regards

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Congrats on your new-to-you Kirby!
A total cleaning and polishing will do well on this. Kirbys restore easily and last a long time.

Nozzle looks correct.
It has a light in the hood, it may just be not working. It uses a standard 12V 1156 automotive reverse bulb (bayonet base). Contacts may need polishing/sanding also.

'Turbo' was the new marketing buzzword of the 80s...
The 'Turbo' feature was the new Turbo accessories like the sander and zip brush that attached to the hose end. they ran using little turbo impellers to change the air flow into rotational action.

I do not see a picture of the vacuum fan, so check it. If grey plastic, you need to replace it before using it. This material degrades with age and can come apart under high motor RPMs. I have experienced it. White plastic or metal fans are fine.

Here is an article I posted long ago that can help in your restoration.
https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34091

Let us know if we can help further.

Hopefully you will find a reliable parts source in your area.

 

[kirbynoob]

Hi!

The light in the hood works fine, I should have been more clear. I meant there isn't a brushbar light in the nozzle. The nozzle has a shape with the two 'wings'? at the back.

I believe they changed the nozzle to remove those and add the brushbar light in on later ones?

It does have a grey fan, so I'll add that to the list!

Thank you!

 

[texaskirbyguy]

The light has always been in the hood, not in the nozzle assy.

I do believe the 'wings' were removed in later models to reduce costs. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Always glad to help others save these fine machines!

 

[kirbynoob]

I think we've got wires crossed here.

On the Heritage IIs that I have seen on the forums and for sale. Some like mine don't have the indicator light on the left hand side of the nozzle and some do.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Ah - the BPI brushroll performance indicator. I forgot about that.
I believe that came in mid-model run as well.

 

[jade_angel]

Every Heritage II I've seen lacks the wings - I'm surprised this one has them. IIRC, the BPI came in at the same time as the wings went - I've never seen one with wings and a BPI or no wings and no BPI, though I won't swear they don't exist.

Someone who knows Kirby production history better can correct me here, but AFAIK, the nozzle with wings and no BPI is the same one as on the original Heritage, while the nozzle without wings and with BPI is the same one as on the Legend II, except for the colors.

 

[human]

You've got yourself a nice one there. I believe that's an early Heritage II. The nozzle appears to be the same as the ones that came on the Heritage 1HD, which ended its run in 1984. The "Turbo" branding simply meant it shipped with a turbo brush, although I believe what the Heritage II actually shipped with was a later style Zipp Brush, which are still in use today. Your Heritage will shine up nicely. The Heritage/Legend series are my favorite Kirbys. Keep us apprised of your progress.

 

[kirbynoob]

Thanks everyone.

@human, yes I think this must be very early if ther 1HD ended in 84 and this is a February 85 hence why it has the older nozzle then.

Very much looking forward to dismantling it completely and giving this a new start in life.

As mentioned, this is going to be our daily machine once I've sorted it