Updated my Kirby collection with a 512 and Classic 3

[madabouthoovers]

That's one important issue - maintenance. Sadly most users don't do anywhere near enough of it with their vacs. The thing with Kirby is that those who purchase them brand new will usually allow Kirby to service them annually - since the cost of a ne Kirby is so high, most people would want to protect their investment, to ensure it lasts as long as possible and as Kirbys are so reliable anyway, most users will only have to change bags and belts on a regular basis, with Kirby taking care of everything else on the service plan.
A Kirby is an investment - its an appliance that someone would expect to take care of their house for a long time, and most people would therefore afford a Kirby more care and respect than say, a £100 plastivacs.
That word - maintenance, is the all important word, and if you maintain a Kirby, it will look after you for a long, long time.

 

[turbo500]

My parents bought an ex-demo Legend 2 from a Kirby salesman in '93. I remember it being serviced regularly, which was a little pointless seeing as my mother barely used it. The one thing I remember the most about it being serviced, is how shiney and new it looked afterwards.

As well as geuine Kirby servicing, there's a chap in Nottingham who does Kirby servicing and sells refurb machines - he'll also have the machine collected and returned to your door. And of course, there is our very own James Brown and other independant retailers. It's really not that hard to get it serviced, is it?[this post was last edited: 11/8/2013-11:28]

 

[craig_1982]

Steve, I haven't considered being a Kirby salesman, I would prefer to work on them in a shop if anything. Many year's ago I asked to do my school work experience at KD service centre in Shelton (not sure if you know the place being local) but anyway disappointingly it didn't come off due to red tape, The people who ran it at the time Sandra and Kingsley saw how disappointed I was so they asked me if I'd like to do a day just to try it out and see if I would like it and I did I loved it, they showed me so much in just one day shame I couldn't work their full time.
Now I'm older and got money I will from time to time look around mainly on E-bay to see if I can grab a bargain and do it up in my little shed, So far they have been for myself but my misses keep's saying why don't you do this and sell them on make a bit of money, so maybe in the future I will do this but for the time being I'm concentrating on getting the one's I want for my collection.
I agree with you on the Classic omega you don't see any over here, I think I'll have to get it from USA at some point, at least having the transformer what I got for the 512 I'l be able to run it.
For now I'v got my new 512 and classic 3 to use so I'm in no hurry to get another just yet lol.

Craig.

 

[madabouthoovers]

It wasn't you that did up a Classic 3 several months back, Clarence Street, Wolstanton I think it was being advertised at?
BTW that KD place in Shelton has gone now - I got my last lot of belts from the Kirby dealers in Chemical lane (Unity Distribution).

There's a Tradition on eBay going at the moment in Stoke for 40 quid starting bid - was tempted by it but I already have 47 vacs and am getting short on space now lol

This was the one from Wolstanton advertised back in March on EBay - I couldn't afford it at the time - its absolutely mint

 

[craig_1982]

No Steve that wasn't me I saw it and wanted it badly unfortunately I had an unexpected vet bill to pay so I never had the chance to get it.
That's a shame to hear about KD service centre, I haven't been for year's with having so many parts regularly available on the net.
The many year's I went there with my granddad and parents from when I was a little boy up to my teens Sandra and Kingsley always made a fuss I hope they are enjoying their retirement.
That's pretty cheap for a tradition is it in good condition?

 

[craig_1982]

Yeah that Classic is just gorgeous, I did want it so much at the time (still do lol) and with living only a few miles away in Clayton it would have been easy to get, I hope who ever got it look's after it because I think it's the nicest classic 3 I've ever seen.

 

[madabouthoovers]

This is it - it looks OK, but you just never know with an old Kirby, and I've been after a tradition for a long time, but most that come up are so tatty that I would end up spending a fortune to make them good again.
I only look within 50 miles of Stoke anyway, any further and the cost of getting them back to stoke becomes a factor.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kirby-Tra...784?pt=UK_Vacuum_Cleaners&hash=item2a339fe6e8

 

[craig_1982]

It look's Ok probably look 50 times better with a good clean and polish description say's it runs, Personally if it was me for that amount and looking at it id get it.
Yeah like you say Steve you don't know what hidden nasty's are in these older Kirby's but I think it's worth a chance, if the worst comes to the worst you brought it and it wasn't much good you could always strip it down sell the parts individually and get your money back that way.

 

[craig_1982]

Sorry thought it was buy it now at £40 just noticed its auction personally I wouldn't pay more than £70 for that, just have to see how many go for it and what the price goes up too.

 

[madabouthoovers]

I've got a watch on it anyway, and will see if it generates any other interest. Interestingly, its got a KD service sticker on it, so would have been to visit your friend Kingsley at some time or other.
The fact that we can get stuff for Kirbys off the internet now is probably what caused the demise of KD services. Sadly, many independent vac repairers have gone out of business now with the arrival of the cheap throwaway society we now live in.

 

[craig_1982]

Yeah I agree Steve, I'm guilty of it I would rather order kirby parts belts bags from off the internet in the convienience of my own home and wait for the goods to come for me, than take a trip up to Shelton to get them from the shop on the same day, Although after hearing from you its now closed I would have had a wasted trip anyway lol

 

[madabouthoovers]

Yes - I drove up there myself earlier this year to find that its closed down. I went to the official Kirby dealer in Longport, and the guy there said KD had closed. He sold me a second hand hose for my Heritage, a new brushroll and some belts, so I'd rather support my local Kirby dealer, even if I did pay a bit more than I wanted to for the stuff - at least I didn't have to pay postage

 

[madabouthoovers]

Well, I just won a really nice G4 for £47, cant get better than that - it was the model I was trying to sell back in 1994 for over a grand when I worked briefly for Kirby.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kirby-G4-...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[craig_1982]

Wow £47 for that bargain Steve a quick clean and polish it'l look like almost new.

 

[craig_1982]

Well I got my Classic 3 done pretty pleased with the results although not a match for the Classic 3 in the picture a few posts above.
This turned out to have a few more part's than I first thought.

*New power lead
*Front nozzle bumper guard
*Front nozzle belt lifter with decals
*Front nozzle rug plate gasket
*New belt
*New headlight trim
*Two new front wheels
*Two new cable winders on the handle
*Dust/splash guard for the cable end

 

[madabouthoovers]

Its great aint it - when you think what a Kirby costs brand new, and what they fetch second hand - what can you buy now for £47, an Argos value upright or very cheap Vax.
Depending on what its like and as I'm not a huge fan of the Generation series, I may polish it up with the handi-butler and re-sell it. Am waiting for the seller to contact me now with a collection address. I always prefer the pre-generation models, but for the money, this G4 is indeed a bargain if its in good working order with an undamaged fan.

 

[madabouthoovers]

Re - your Classic 3, are you going to look for an original shakeout bag for it to complete the authenticity? Is that parts list what it already had, or what you spent on it?
It does look OK with the Legend2 bag on though - I assume you converted the Sani-emptor to house a fill tube assy?

 

[craig_1982]

Oh yeah Steve it's too good a bargain to miss I think once I start looking at Kirby's for doing up and selling something like that I'd go for.

My Two new machines.

 

[craig_1982]

Steve, the Classic 3 bag was converted by the previous owner I haven't decided yet what to do with the bag I may keep an eye out see if I can find one in the future but at the moment I can't spend any more money I'v spent too much this month lol.
As for the parts list that is what I brought new from America (Kirbyfans E-Bay shop) I also got other things as well such as Flitz polish, handle spring winding tool, fan locking tool, and a hose nozzle to fit my Tradition.

 

[madabouthoovers]

I bet that lot cost a fair packet especially having it shipped from the US.

Its nice to see a 512 actually in the UK, and as its from 1952, its in great condition for 61 years old. Its a lot taller in the handle than the Classic 3 though, although the nozzle is smaller. It really is amazing just how little Kirbys have changed in their history.

All respect to you for restoring such an iconic vac as the 512 - it isn't cheap is it lol.