Sunbeam Upright....
Hi Sam,
Looks like you got the younger sibling to the machine that I was able to obtain from David C. at the convention. I am 99% positive that mine came earlier. But then again I leave that 1% for error.
Our machines, were of course the badge enginnered way for Sunbeam Corporation, in order to have an upright vacuum cleaner without tooling one theirselves, to have one for sale. Of course Singer was happily supplying their machines to Sears as we know, along with the SCM Lewyt Corporation as there was a Lewyt Version also.
I'm unsure of when Sunbeams uprights came about, but my guess is around 1970 or so, and were gone by 1977-78. I have never seen one in any catalog after 1977 for that matter, and I'm going entirely by that process of elimination. Again they could have been offered longer but I seriously doubt it.
Your machine hails from 1974-75, and was featured in BEst catalogs amongst others. More expensive than comparable Eureka's and Hoover's; this machine retialed I believe for 89.95 I will check when I get home.
A few things. I would suggest taking off the hood off when you get it and do a complete vacuuming of the motor compartment. These machines were notorious fuzz and lint collectors in this area. As I have stated befoe this makes the motor run very hot, and can cause failure of the motor.
Check both bearings on the brushroll, and apply minor lubrication if needed. This roller should have sleeve bearings, and I have always applied a small drop of "Turbine Oil" to the sleeves. I have not had any unsavory results doing so so I make this suggestion. I would await some other advice given on this subject as certain people may suggest not to do this. again this is something that I have done only, and has nevr failed me thus far.
If your zipper is still looking lik it's in good shape, slowly pull it up and down when you get it to see if you have any issues with the zipper. On mine the Zipper faces the handle, and the zipper on the vey lower part of it, stated to drop teeth. I had to do an emergency zipperectomy, and stop the actual travel of the zipper, higher than original. You do not want an original bag that does not zip up and down. It ruins your machine if the bag is a bojack or not original. That does look to be the correct one for the time frame.
Also purchase the proper belt. I have used Oreck belts on them before, and did myself no favors. I usually now use a Hoover Elite belt, and that seems more pliable and stretchy. You will want to put little pressure on the brushroller bearings, and fan bearings. THey're of course irreplaceable, and unless you find a donor machine will make your life very hellish if they fail. Jeff P. or others may offer a more suitable replacement.
Essco advises to use a Hoover Elite belt so that's what I do now.
As for you finding a lens for said cleaner....well you either may have excellent luck and find one immediately, or you may have a better chance at getting hit by lightning, or winning the lottery. Becasue these machines were not common when new, and even moreso now, there is a chance you may never find one to replace it with. And the lens was exclusinve to Sunbeams model only.
That said I never thougth I would find a parts machine to replace the lens on my Singer Golden Powermaster. Yet a year after I got mine form another collector, one showed up in terrible shape, but had a perfect lens and brushroller. So do not give up.
I'm glad that you won it... You may wnat to check with Morrisons for a headlight lens. I know he has NOS rollers, as I purchased one for mine, but in all that digging, I never found a lens. Who knows, he may have one stuck somewhere in the far recesses of his place of buisness. In that place I wouldn't be suprised...
Good too see that you won it tho...
Chad
