Thread Number: 16254
Moral question about a Kirby Classic III Rebuild |
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Post# 173384 , Reply# 1   3/15/2012 at 20:13 (4,396 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
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Post# 173401 , Reply# 2   3/15/2012 at 21:45 (4,396 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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Depending on what your motives are. I have a Kirby Classic III (one of my favorites) that I bought new in 1976. Sent it back after light use to Kirby for a rebuild. They upgraded the bag to disposable and I can use HEPA bags in it and replaced and polished everything. The attachment caddy is from the Legend series. Updated is fabulous. It was like Christmas in July when it came back from Cleveland. They don't use the original color anymore (everything now is black) so if you want it to be original, it will take a bit more work. I have to think that you would want to restore it back to the day she had it delivered. What a tribute.
Fred |
Post# 173407 , Reply# 5   3/15/2012 at 21:58 (4,396 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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Of my favorite Kirby's is the Classic Omega. The very first Kirby I bought new. Traded it in, but found a good replacement and sent it back to Cleveland for a rebuild. It came back with a gold replacement bag, but Charlie Watrous supplied me with a gorgeous original armored bag. As you can tell, I like them restored back to new condition. With these machines and their quality, that is fairly easy. Everyone has their favorite Kirby series, but these big-heads are some of my favorites. |
Post# 173411 , Reply# 7   3/15/2012 at 22:16 (4,396 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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I can't remember if they sent me back the Emptor assembly. After they received the machine, they sent me a letter with the option (at an additional cost) to upgrade the bag assembly to paper bags. I took them up on it. The good news is that emptor, and other parts, are easily available. I have an original bag and emptor for the machine (along with all the attachments including the jigsaw!) |
Post# 173414 , Reply# 8   3/15/2012 at 22:21 (4,396 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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When I was in college - about 1973 - my roommate at the time commented about Kirbys. He knew I loved vacuums and Kirbys in particular. He said that when we went into the city for some evening fun at the bars that "We should put the helicopter attachment on the Kirby and just fly in." Love all those attachments! |
Post# 173548 , Reply# 12   3/16/2012 at 21:03 (4,395 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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Sounds like you are good to go! The only thing I would recommend is that you find someone that can professionally polish the machine. It is a special skill. I know of two places that do it well outside of the Kirby factory in Cleveland, one in Racine and one in Omaha. They have the equipment and skill to do it. To answer your question about the CIII price in the 70's, I know I have an invoice when I bought the machine, but I remember that it was about $275.00 new. In today's $ that would be about $1,033. I love that story about Grandma telling Grandpa about buying it somewhat later and not sharing the price. She sounds like quite a gal, I'm sure I would have liked her. Here is a picture of the equipment they use in Cleveland at the Kirby factory. This is not for use by inexperienced folks! This post was last edited 03/16/2012 at 21:37 |
Post# 173550 , Reply# 13   3/16/2012 at 21:11 (4,395 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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Post# 173552 , Reply# 15   3/16/2012 at 21:17 (4,395 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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WOW! Great looking 561! Looks just like new. |
Post# 173553 , Reply# 16   3/16/2012 at 21:22 (4,395 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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Post# 173554 , Reply# 17   3/16/2012 at 21:24 (4,395 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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Post# 173557 , Reply# 18   3/16/2012 at 21:42 (4,395 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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The buffing equipment used to scare me too but hey, no guts no glory...besides if the straight men can do it, I can too...and so far no one's revoked my 'mo card for it, LOL! |
Post# 173638 , Reply# 19   3/17/2012 at 05:26 (4,395 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Post# 173797 , Reply# 23   3/17/2012 at 22:33 (4,394 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Does anyone have any photos of a Kirby Co rebuild where the machine came back trimmed out in black? I am just curious to see what that looks like. |
Post# 173854 , Reply# 27   3/18/2012 at 08:26 (4,393 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Hi Brad.
All of my kirby pics are on my website. www.mrvacuumcleaner.co.uk/page4.h... Hope like them. It's good you have access to a wide range of parts. What other kirby's are on your hit list? James:o) |
Post# 173986 , Reply# 31   3/18/2012 at 21:30 (4,393 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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the digital camera and I aren't getting along so well but I am working on getting photos of my Classic III and other Kirbys too. |
Post# 173999 , Reply# 32   3/18/2012 at 22:42 (4,393 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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I had already put some of the minor new parts on before I took the before pic, so the old parts are in the photo in front of the Kirby. |
Post# 174000 , Reply# 33   3/18/2012 at 22:43 (4,393 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Sorry the qualify isn't so good... |
Post# 174001 , Reply# 34   3/18/2012 at 22:44 (4,393 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Close up |
Post# 174002 , Reply# 35   3/18/2012 at 22:45 (4,393 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Just for fun are my Sentria and Diamond Edition... |
Post# 174003 , Reply# 36   3/18/2012 at 22:46 (4,393 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Another Sentria photo |
Post# 174004 , Reply# 37   3/18/2012 at 22:47 (4,393 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Diamond Edition |
Post# 174005 , Reply# 38   3/18/2012 at 22:47 (4,393 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Diamond Edition |
Post# 174063 , Reply# 39   3/19/2012 at 14:44 (4,392 days old) by cparman (Wylie, Texas)   |   | |
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James, I hate you and your entire collection because I don't have them :) All kidding aside, most impressive collection, James :) -Chris |
Post# 174091 , Reply# 40   3/19/2012 at 17:43 (4,392 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Hi Brad, Sorry for the late reply.
I got Two Gold traditions and a Gold Heritage II from another collector who wanted them out of the way as there not in great condition. I got the Gold Ultimate G was from someone who contacted me via ebay about 8 or 9 years ago now. When it comes to manuals I have the scott & fetzer sanitation system manual, A R series manual and all the manuals from the model C to the Sentria. I also have the attachments,attachment boxes and main boxes from the S&F to Sentria. Just missing two waxers in there boxers off the top of my head. Just few more vacs and bits to get. I have a pic somewhere of the big boxes all together before I moved house a few years ago.... I don't think I have just one fave kirby... I have very few duplicate kirby's as I gave most of them away that was in good condition. Thanks Chris. I'm glad you like my Kirby collection:o) I've been seriously collecting Kirbys since the late 90s. But got my 1st kirbys around 1994ish I think. That was a Heritage II. We had a Legend II demo in the early 90s and always wanted one after that. Hope your both well James:o) |
Post# 174093 , Reply# 41   3/19/2012 at 17:44 (4,392 days old) by bnsd60m9200 (Akron OH)   |   | |
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Post# 174095 , Reply# 42   3/19/2012 at 17:47 (4,392 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Post# 174104 , Reply# 43   3/19/2012 at 18:52 (4,392 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Well, I did the rebuild on my Grandma's Classic III today, here's what she looks like... |
Post# 174105 , Reply# 44   3/19/2012 at 18:53 (4,392 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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I left the white paint spots on the cord because those were from my Grandma and I just wanted to leave them...y'all can understand I am sure. |
Post# 174117 , Reply# 45   3/19/2012 at 19:53 (4,392 days old) by bnsd60m9200 (Akron OH)   |   | |
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Post# 174128 , Reply# 46   3/19/2012 at 21:56 (4,392 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Yes, I checked everything inside and out. The motor brushes were good but I went ahead and put new ones in anyway since I already had it apart. Bearings were good, it all checked out. |
Post# 174145 , Reply# 47   3/20/2012 at 08:11 (4,391 days old) by mieles7 (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 174184 , Reply# 48   3/20/2012 at 14:37 (4,391 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Post# 174185 , Reply# 49   3/20/2012 at 14:45 (4,391 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Hi Will, I remembered to take a pic of the Gold Kirby Heritage II for you.
I remembered just as I was leaving work. It's not in great condition as some boob decided to use it to clean with and did not look after it. I didn't dig the bag out as I didn't have time. But at least it gives you a idea of the gold Kirby Heritage II. James:o) |
Post# 174186 , Reply# 50   3/20/2012 at 14:47 (4,391 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Post# 174187 , Reply# 51   3/20/2012 at 14:55 (4,391 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Thank you for posting those photos. They're wonderful! |
Post# 174192 , Reply# 52   3/20/2012 at 15:17 (4,391 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Post# 174193 , Reply# 53   3/20/2012 at 15:18 (4,391 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Post# 174207 , Reply# 54   3/20/2012 at 17:33 (4,391 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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How did you get a Classic Omega and Classic III new in the box? I am so jealous! I would love to have both those models new! |
Post# 174223 , Reply# 55   3/20/2012 at 19:36 (4,391 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Umm I can't remember where I got the Omega either another collector or ebay??
The Classic III was from a customer who contacted me. He worked for a company that bought three of them. Not sure why? They used one and kept 2 unused. Then when the company closed he got both of them and used one but kept the other one unused for many years. Then he came across me and asked if I was interested in it. I actully had the Classic Omega and Classic III in great condition before I got them but decided since they are rare they was to good to pass up on. Same thing goes for the 3rd Kirby Heritage off the line. It was won buy one of my local Kirby distributors at the time. When he retired sold it to me along with a few other bits. James:o) |
Post# 174225 , Reply# 56   3/20/2012 at 19:44 (4,391 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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That's really awesome! If you ever decide to part with the new Classic III let me know. You should post pics of it as well! |
Post# 174249 , Reply# 57   3/21/2012 at 03:35 (4,391 days old) by pr-21 (Middletown, OH)   |   | |
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Post# 174308 , Reply# 58   3/21/2012 at 19:12 (4,390 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()   |   | |
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Those look great. I appreciate you sharing the photos. |
Post# 174352 , Reply# 59   3/22/2012 at 09:21 (4,389 days old) by kirby (passadena md)   |   | |
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You wouldn't hapen to have a g5 vacuum box would you or a g5 owners manual? |
Post# 174355 , Reply# 60   3/22/2012 at 10:12 (4,389 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)   |   | |
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Hi David. I don't have a spare G5 manual or box. Most of my duplicates have been sold or given to others already.
The G5 manuals come up on ebay fairly often also. When it comes to the big G5 box you should get one off ebay if you keep looking. You might have to get a whole vac but you can keep the box and sell the kirby its self on. James:o) |