What kirby should I find?

[singingrainbow]

I have never been a kirby person but recently I gave them another try with an obviosly rebuild model 561 that I could not get rid of so I got a beltlifter for it and I kind of like it but I would like one with disposable bags and maybe a teck drive and I dont want to spend much so should I try to find a G series or an older machine . In other words what would you recomend to a first time kirby'er? PS could some one post one of those kirby timeline things please. Thanks!
-Scott

 

[bagintheback]

I have a Heritage II thats needs some work but I would gladly sell it to you if you want. It takes the older G3 bags.

 

[singingrainbow]

Ok you got my attention

what kind of work does it need?

 

[kirbfan94]

Kirby's are fun, But just make sure all the seals are good or
you'll wonder why it's not locking down to the carpet like it should.
My favorite would have to be the Heritage modles, you can use sentria cloth bags if you want good filtration, and if you get ahold of a metal fan that will fit right in too.
WHICH turns them into a bit of a beast

 

[bagintheback]

singingrainbow

The vacuums works, but the handle leans forward and the em-tor will need to be replaced and the outer bag is reaching the end of it life. You can still use the bag, and it's not ripped or anything, but it's kinda dirty. The Em-Tor allows fine dust to pass out of it. I have the basic attachments. Email me if you are interested.

 

[singingrainbow]

THANK YOU!!!

I want to thank everyone who helped me because today while I was at the rainbow dealer digging through the trade-ins and burried under a mound of plastic crap was a nice looking tradition and ken the distributor let me have it and it came with two bags and three belts in the outer bag so I got home cleaned the brush and outer bag and changed the bag and belt then I tried it and I kinda like it . tomorrow I am going to see if I can get a new brush , this one is kinda worn and ps this thing has a plastic fan and also are traditions suposed to be this quiet compared to my 561? can someone tell me the year on this please and also why it has an emtor that looks like a classic emtor even though this takes bags? and no it is not a classic in disguise Thanks!
-Scott

 

[vintageroyal611]

The Tradition uses a different fill tube set up for its paper bags than a Heritage II, Legend II, or G Series. The classic style emptor is definitely original. And I think that design is quieter because of the larger casing, the paper bags, and other design changes between the 561 (1961) and the Tradition (1979).

 

[eurekastar]

The Kirby Tradition is the last of the "Classic" line and also the first model where Kirby made disposable bags an option. The Tradition therefore had two options -- a shake out bag or the disposable bag system. If the front bearing seems OK, you might want to get a 4 row brush roll. Just get one from the Heritage/Legend series. It will fit. The 4 row brush will make it clean much better AND it will be easier to push. The "collar" in the Emtor that the fill tube attaches to can be popped out if you ever want to convert it back to a shake out bag system. But then, you'll need to get a shake out bag! Mine came with a shake out bag and I converted it to the disposable bag system.

 

[singingrainbow]

this one

does have a four row brush but its not any easier to push and by the way, eurekastar where in texas are you in relation to austin I am in georgetown which is about 30 to 40 min from austin PS that tradition is BEUTIFUL

 

[vintageroyal611]

As a side note......

That would be spelled 'beautiful'.

 

[singingrainbow]

ops

sorry for the spelling error

 

[eurekastar]

Scott, Vernon is up in North Texas, just south of the Oklahoma border. We're near Wichita Falls. We have more cows in this county than people! LOL!

If you haven't already done so, you may want to check the adjustment on the brush roll. With a flat screw driver, turn the adjustment screws to the right until the bristles extend about 1/8 inch below the rug plate. A credit card or something similar works well the gauge the length.

The paper bag system in the Tradition does make it vacuum differently. It decreases the airflow for sure. I have a Classic III that's identical to the Tradition, except for trim and the shake out bag. It seems to be a little easier to push.

 

[singingrainbow]

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH !!!

As soon as I read your post on adjusting the brushes I did so and................WOW!!!! it cleans sooooo much better I cannot thank you enough for all the great advice! Thanks again.
-Scott

 

[powertank]

MMM nice looking Kirbys. I really like the Heritage II, but I like the classics, traditions, and heritages. I find the new ones really ugly, but the self-propel is great.