Updated my Kirby collection with a 512 and Classic 3


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Thread Number: 22631
Updated my Kirby collection with a 512 and Classic 3

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Post# 252919 10/14/2013 at 09:17 (3,839 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 1 Hello, It's been a while since I've updated my Kirby collection but over the past week I have managed to get two :-) A Kirby 512 rebuilt by Kirby in the seventies, and a classic 3 both in working order. The classic 3 needs only a couple of things which I have ordered, they are :- A new head/nozzle bumper and a new belt lifter with decals. There's a few things I've got coming for the 512 which include :- A new head/nozzle Bumper (red). A new bottom base plate for sani-emtor (black) which will replace the worn tan coloured one currently on it. As the top handle grip is red along with the headlight trim and the nozzle bumper (coming) I'm going to spray the tan coloured belt lifter red to match the rest (looked around on internet for the proper belt lifer but cannot find one) I have also had to purchase a transformer to run the 512 with it being 110volt

Post# 252937 , Reply# 1 10/14/2013 at 12:32 (3,839 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)
Checkrate/Likes *Hi,* Hi Craig, Hope your ok. Your Kirby's are coming along nicely! Take pics after your spares you have ordered arrive and have been fitted to your waiting Kirby's. James

Post# 252948 , Reply# 2 10/14/2013 at 13:58 (3,839 days old) by ncovert (Grove City, PA)
Checkrate/Likes I notice your Classic III has its sani emp-tor, but a Legend II bag. Is it a shakeout or has it been converted to disposable bags?

Post# 252950 , Reply# 3 10/14/2013 at 14:23 (3,839 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 1 Hello James, yes my collection is slowly growing up to 14 now :-) loving this 512 so light and easy to push. I'll add updated pics once I get the parts fitted I'm hoping to receive them by the end of the week. Hello Noah, its been converted to take disposable bags by the previous owner Some of my Kirbys got another two Legends 2's, G4, Vacuette and Heritage 2 elsewhere.

Post# 255310 , Reply# 4 11/5/2013 at 15:06 (3,817 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 1 Hello All, Today I got my Kirby 512 fitted with new parts I'm pretty happy with how it looks, it want's some more polishing but for now I'm happy to admire it as it is. It's had a thorough clean down and polishing all new trims in Tan colour and a new belt fitted. I love using it so light and easy to push also I cant believe how quiet it is compared to the later models. All the part's I got from America off the Ebay shop kirbyfans some of you probably know this shop big thank you to kent. Next on the list is the Classic 3 which I have all the part's for now.

Post# 255313 , Reply# 5 11/5/2013 at 15:31 (3,817 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)
Checkrate/Likes *Hi,* Hi Craig, Your Kirby 512 looks very smart now with the matching tan Colour. So when will you be getting more 500 series Kirbys? I keep thinking about getting a factory rebuilt Kirby 500 series in tan one day as I think they look smart. Hope you get the new parts on your Classic III put on soon. James

Post# 255317 , Reply# 6 11/5/2013 at 15:39 (3,817 days old) by Ultimatevacman ( Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK)
Checkrate/Likes Hi Craig, you have a great collection of Kirbys! That 512 looks really nice now after it's had it's parts fitted. Joe

Post# 255318 , Reply# 7 11/5/2013 at 15:44 (3,817 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 1 Hello James, Thank's for the comments, yes I do plan on getting more, I'm not sure exactly what 500 model it is but I really like the one that has the red trim with grey wheels I think it looks stunning. As for the Classic I'll probably start tomorrow after I finish work shouldn't take me too long hopefully. A before and after shot of my 512

Post# 255322 , Reply# 8 11/5/2013 at 15:47 (3,817 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes Hi Joe, Thank's for the comments, yes I'm starting to get quite a collection of them plenty more to come as well in the future.

Post# 255344 , Reply# 9 11/5/2013 at 16:54 (3,817 days old) by cb123 (Mobile, Al.)
Checkrate/Likes Congratulations, that's one fine Kirby unit! I must say, 512's are one of my very favorites. Great job!

Post# 255363 , Reply# 10 11/6/2013 at 03:01 (3,816 days old) by Ultimatevacman ( Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK)
Checkrate/Likes 1 I'm hoping to get some more Kirbys too, currently I only have a Tradition.

Post# 255584 , Reply# 11 11/8/2013 at 00:40 (3,815 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes The only problem is, the earliest export-market Kirbys to be sold on your side of the Atlantic were Classic Omegas and Classic IIIs, and were sold through an exclusive distributor-type deal until Kirby established a sales-and-service network of its own in the UK circa 1980. ~Ben

Post# 255591 , Reply# 12 11/8/2013 at 06:01 (3,814 days old) by RootCyclone (East Midlands,UK.)
Checkrate/Likes Great looking machines, Craig! :D

Post# 255596 , Reply# 13 11/8/2013 at 08:30 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes I cant remember when I last saw a Classic Omega for sale in the UK, if ever. They are VERY rare. Have seen the odd Classic 3 - a rebuilt version went local to me several months back, but I couldn't afford the price tag. The fact that Kirby only established a foothold in the UK in 1980 explains why we see very few examples of Kirbys older than the Tradition. Also, older models than the Tradition didn't use paper bags, and this would have limited their sales in the Uk as most people wanted disposable bags by the 1970's. Shakeout bags were not popular here, and the fact that the Tradition was the first Kirby to use them would have helped its sales no end. In my opinion, the Classic - Legend2 platform of Kirby was better than the current tech drive version - whilst the tech drive is good, the noise it makes can become annoying. Its amazing to think that in the last 80 odd years, there have only been 3 platforms of Kirbys, and the UK never got the first one, although there are collectors here that have had pre 1970 models imported, and they all run on US only voltage. Craig - have you ever worked as a Kirby Salesman? just wondering, as you'd make the ideal salesman. I tried it in the mid 90's but didn't do very well - you need the gift of the gab to be a good Kirby salesman - and the ability to handle rejection most of the time. A very difficult job as so many people had heard of Kirby for the wrong reasons back then.

Post# 255601 , Reply# 14 11/8/2013 at 09:07 (3,814 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Classic - Legend2 Kirby was better than tech drive version* I agree. And the silly thing is, without the increased weight caused by the techdrive, you probably wouldn't need the techdrive anyway. The Legend was one of the lightest and easiest to use, IMO. But I suppose the techdrive is a bit of a mod-con that could aid Kirby in selling a machine that doesn't look particularly hi-tech.

Post# 255604 , Reply# 15 11/8/2013 at 09:25 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes Kirbys are never intended to look high tech. They are a timeless classic machine, that has changed very little from the orginal design dating back nearly a century. The design is effective and simple. Basically a brushroll, a fan and a bag, and that's it. A high tech Kirby just wouldn't be a Kirby. People have come to expect a Kirby to be a classic retro vac of the style of a bygone era. The expect it to be simple, effective and timeless, but above all, reliable and durable. If Kirby put too many lights, gadgets and features on the basic design it would look stupid, as the brand was never envisaged to be a modern contemporary looking machine. It will be very interesting to see what the replacement for the Generation platform looks like when it eventually comes, as the Generation platform has now been around for nearly a quarter of a century.

Post# 255605 , Reply# 16 11/8/2013 at 09:33 (3,814 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Whilst that may be the case, they still have to compete in a modern market. The tech drive allows for the cleaner to look like the classic, reliable machine that customers know and love but has something new and more high-tech to offer. But the original point was that without the techdrive being present, it would make the machine lighter and therefore wouldn't need the techdrive. Kind of like the techdrive itself is creating the need for techdrive.

Post# 255611 , Reply# 17 11/8/2013 at 10:00 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes The Heritage1 I use most often can be hard to push at times, but usually this is against the grain or nap of the carpet, and the soleplate accumulates a black tarry substance as well that needs frequent cleaning off. I think the tech drive makes my G7 so easy to push, agreed, but I just have a soft spot for the older platform - such a beautiful and graceful machine, and the art of simplicity which makes it so reliable for a 32 year old vac. How many Dysons do you think will still be fully functional at 32 years old?

Post# 255613 , Reply# 18 11/8/2013 at 10:15 (3,814 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)
Checkrate/Likes *How many Dysons will still be fully functional at 32 years* How many Dysons will be FUNCTIONAL, never mind fully, at 32 years old. The reliability factor is really a major bonus for Kirby and, as I'm sure you're aware, when they're maintained correctly could potentially outlive the user.

Post# 255614 , Reply# 19 11/8/2013 at 10:46 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes 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.

Post# 255616 , Reply# 20 11/8/2013 at 10:49 (3,814 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)
Checkrate/Likes 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 11/08/2013 at 11:28

Post# 255626 , Reply# 21 11/8/2013 at 12:18 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 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.

Post# 255633 , Reply# 22 11/8/2013 at 12:41 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes 1 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

Post# 255638 , Reply# 23 11/8/2013 at 12:56 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 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?

Post# 255639 , Reply# 24 11/8/2013 at 13:03 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 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.

Post# 255640 , Reply# 25 11/8/2013 at 13:04 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes 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. CLICK HERE TO GO TO madabouthoovers's LINK on eBay

Post# 255641 , Reply# 26 11/8/2013 at 13:13 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 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.

Post# 255642 , Reply# 27 11/8/2013 at 13:18 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 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.

Post# 255643 , Reply# 28 11/8/2013 at 13:19 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes 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.

Post# 255644 , Reply# 29 11/8/2013 at 13:28 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 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

Post# 255645 , Reply# 30 11/8/2013 at 13:34 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes 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

Post# 255646 , Reply# 31 11/8/2013 at 13:49 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes 1 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. CLICK HERE TO GO TO madabouthoovers's LINK on eBay

Post# 255648 , Reply# 32 11/8/2013 at 14:50 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes Wow �47 for that bargain Steve a quick clean and polish it'l look like almost new.

Post# 255649 , Reply# 33 11/8/2013 at 15:06 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 1 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

Post# 255650 , Reply# 34 11/8/2013 at 15:12 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes 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.

Post# 255651 , Reply# 35 11/8/2013 at 15:16 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes 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?

Post# 255652 , Reply# 36 11/8/2013 at 15:20 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 1 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.

Post# 255653 , Reply# 37 11/8/2013 at 15:28 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes 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.

Post# 255656 , Reply# 38 11/8/2013 at 15:54 (3,814 days old) by madabouthoovers ()
Checkrate/Likes 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.

Post# 255659 , Reply# 39 11/8/2013 at 16:20 (3,814 days old) by Craig_1982 (Newcastle Under Lyme (England))
Checkrate/Likes The shipping wasn't too bad Steve I did two order's with Kent (the seller) as I had so much to order. As for the 512 I love it such a nice machine I never noticed the taller handle until you mentioned it lol, I originally wanted well still want a ComVac 1300 but the chances of getting one of these are slim. I saw this 512 on E-Bay from a seller in con-way and brought the 512 its a Kirby rebuild which was done in April 1972, Yeah okay it's not the ComVac I wanted, but since it's had the new parts on I think its stunning and an excellent substitute. It's also practical too with having the smaller nozzle it get's in between furniture where the larger Kirby's cant get.

Post# 255667 , Reply# 40 11/8/2013 at 17:14 (3,814 days old) by 70catalina (Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes *That Classic III...* a few posts above is absolutely stunning! I don't think a Kirby could get any shinier! ~Jim

Post# 255697 , Reply# 41 11/9/2013 at 05:34 (3,813 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)
Checkrate/Likes *Hi,* Hi People, Why in the UK the Omega was probably the 1st to be sold as Kirby arrived around 1973ish there was rebadged Vacuettes and Scott Fetzer Sanitation Systems sold here in the UK. Here is a pic of a rebadged S&F. I can't remember what they was rebadged as. My semi retired distributor friend Nick who's dad was a distributor before him in the 70s. Nicks dad and I believe two other guys were the 1st to bring Kirby over in to the UK. I can remember being told they use to go to businesses like coach companies etc. By the late 1970s they was doing the in home demos as my other retired distributor friend had started working for them by then and he was selling Classic IIIs. Why all my older Kirby's are 110 volt I do own a 230 volt Kirby 508. It is nice just having to plug it in to the wall socket and not having to get out the step down transformer. James

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