Thread Number: 35591  /  Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
Check Out My "Reborn" 1987 Kirby Heritage II!
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Post# 382421   12/9/2017 at 19:20 (2,300 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
It's 99% completed so far... the hubcaps still need to be applied to the rear wheels.

Here it is with the standard 16" nozzle!

~Ben


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Post# 406563 , Reply# 1   3/11/2019 at 17:25 (1,843 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
I Finally Have the Black Hammertone Emtor!

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
This item will soon be on my 1987 Heritage II!

~Ben


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Post# 406564 , Reply# 2   3/11/2019 at 22:08 (1,843 days old) by kirbyklekter (Concord,Ca.)        
Very nice,

Still a favorite of mine. Can you tell me the years that they produced the Heritage II? Any changes made during it's build run? Thank you, Billy

Post# 406566 , Reply# 3   3/11/2019 at 22:14 (1,843 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
kirbyklekter

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Billy,

The original issue Heritage II was produced from 1984 to 1987. Initial features that distinguish this machine from the Heritage I (1981-84) included the Mini Emtor (for disposable bags), a new power-on light, Kirby Kaddy attachment case (in mid-1985), Zippbrush (replaced the Turbo Brush, also in mid-'85), redesigned "slimline" nozzle (again, mid-'85), and BPI light on nozzle (1986). The shake-out bag (which, by this time, was most commonly ordered for business use) and the 13" nozzle were options, both carried over from the Heritage I. As this was the first machine to have the Mini Emtor as a standard feature, this meant the rear axle was also slightly longer (from 4.5" to 6" long) to increase stability in the back, so the optional shake-out bag will not fit correctly unless the rear axle is changed to the shorter (4.5" long) one.

Then, comes the nearly-identical Heritage II Legend, which was produced from 1987 to 1989. Changes included an updated hose now fully made of polycarbonate resin (no more metal), re-engineered brush roll (to increase its lifespan), simplified wiring for the power-on light, and (in early 1988) improved disposable paper bags to better reduce chance of pinholes. As before, the shake-out bag and the small 13" nozzle were options.

And finally, the Legend II, now in maroon instead of black (except for the overall color of the Mini Emtor and Sani Emtor), was produced from 1989 to 1991 in the US, but production for export markets (including the UK, Europe, South Africa and Australia) continued through 1992. Until 1990, the Renovation Group nozzle casting was still black; after this, it was changed to match the overall trim color. 1990 also saw a revamp of most attachments to the Generation 3 style (except for the hose, air intake guard, lifter grip and spray/suds gun), while still maroon in color; interestingly, the very last export sales even had all these attachments (including the four carryover Classic/Heritage-era tools) in the Generation 3's trim color! The Legend II was the last machine to have, available, both the shake-out bag and the small 13" nozzle.

~Ben




This post was last edited 03/11/2019 at 22:41
Post# 406588 , Reply# 4   3/12/2019 at 11:40 (1,842 days old) by kirbyklekter (Concord,Ca.)        
Wow, thankyou for that info.

Right around 1992 I was house sitting at a friends and wanted to vacuum his living room before leaving. So I pulled his Kirby Heritage II from the closet and out of habit I turned it over to first check the brush roll for the usual. This was the newest Kirby I had ever used. I checked the serial plate and it listed the motor as having 4.5 amps. This floored me because my older classic is 6amps. This was during the great early 90's amp war between many of the vacuum cleaner cos. Just about every year or so , the new model was an amp higher , remember? So I couldn't believe what I saw. It certainly wasn't the old 4amp in the 500 series, it had a deep throaty sound and seemed very refined compared to my classic omega. He moved shortly after and I never got a chance to go back over and read that plate again to confirm. I thought maybe they were using different means to rate the amperage usage. I had just bought a Patton whole house fan just like a friend had, except the very same model was listed at 250 watts and his was listed as having 425 watts, same model number. So that's what I thought Kirby was doing. Energy Star appliances were really taking off around that time too.Did I read right, or am I out in left field on this one? Sorry for the novel!

Post# 406590 , Reply# 5   3/12/2019 at 12:09 (1,842 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
kirbyklekter

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Billy,

It was probably the field coil that drew a little less amperage than the armature, which itself was exactly the same from the Classic Omega up to the Legend II.

~Ben


Post# 406654 , Reply# 6   3/14/2019 at 00:36 (1,841 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
Almost Finished...

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Managed to get both bag and guard mounted on my black Emtor! Having trouble mounting it on the fan case - probably needs lubrication inside. More to come!

~Ben


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Post# 406682 , Reply# 7   3/14/2019 at 16:23 (1,840 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
1987 Heritage II (New Emtor Now Installed!)

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Did some house cleaning today with my 1987 Heritage II after my Dad helped me install the beloved black hammertoned Emtor!

~Ben


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This post was last edited 03/14/2019 at 17:12
Post# 406701 , Reply# 8   3/15/2019 at 12:09 (1,839 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)        

sptyks's profile picture

Wow Ben,

 

That's one fine looking Heritage II. Great job!

 

~Stan

 

 


Post# 406746 , Reply# 9   3/16/2019 at 10:29 (1,838 days old) by rivstg1 (colorado springs)        

rivstg1's profile picture
How do ya find that setup? I've never even seen one much less, one for sale

Post# 406750 , Reply# 10   3/16/2019 at 10:51 (1,838 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
hey

lesinutah's profile picture
kelvin
Get a heritagee circullar metal emtor. Get the heritage adaptor for em tor top. Put fill tube on from a legend. You can n also put sentria 2 topper on. I believe its the type f twist version. the trick is glueing the emtor adaptor to the em tor. i believe the adaptor is made to screw onto heritage but wont screw onto earlier em tors as the lip doesn't extend out as far.
I haven't posted this but there is a brand Veva who makes vacuum bags. I bought 30 for $30 for kirbys' I will say i believe them to be superior quality to kirby and the bags are 10-25% bigger. The bags are sweet.
I have the legend 13 and other models to work on. Im not going to even say they will be done soon as i probably not going to get done as soon as i like. The heritage 13 has 2 screws one on left side of emtor exhaust and one screw on lower left above axle by motor housing. The motor housing screw is flush so no vice grips will get it out and the em tor screw the angle makes vice grips slip. I have sprayed with wd40 hoping to get loose. That is what is holding me back. I already cleaned up vacuum it has new bearings carbon brushes armature is good coil and wiring is good. Its the screws im trying to get off to put amodel fan on. I will say heritage freaking machine tighten the screws. I used my 20 inch pry bar with a screw driver head attached. That will not budge. I dont have myself a heating torch to loosen but i really dont want to use drill out kits. Ill either break it loose or heat it up. idk but thats why the h2 13 is not yet done. i have 519 combo and d80 ready all with 4 row brush roll. Ill post on here when and if the stupid thing comes loose. Well thanks for your time.
les


Post# 406754 , Reply# 11   3/16/2019 at 11:15 (1,838 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
rivstg1

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Kelton,

The black hammertoned Emtor is indeed a rare item to obtain these days! I have had the shake out bag before, but it came with the wrong Emtor (for a Heritage I). And I did change the rear axle from the long 6" one to the shorter 4.5" one to make the large Emtor fit right.

~Ben


Post# 406760 , Reply# 12   3/16/2019 at 12:17 (1,838 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Hey

lesinutah's profile picture
I have 2 black hammertone em Tors. I bought a orange heritage bag online and it was on it.
The plastic emtor came with h2 13.


Post# 406765 , Reply# 13   3/16/2019 at 15:19 (1,838 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
Lesinutah

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Les,

Awesome! Remember, though, for the Heritage II you will need to change out the rear axle to the shorter one if you want the shake out bag system to fit right.

~Ben


Post# 406790 , Reply# 14   3/16/2019 at 21:21 (1,838 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Hey

lesinutah's profile picture
You are right on the wheels there goes the curve ball. I either get cool em Tor or cool bag narrow wheels. If I only turn 22 of the 45 degrees putting emtor on I'll be able to get big wheels. It would also blow off take cool aspect of wheels and people would wonder is the vacuum drunk or is the owner.
I'm torn.
I may get Dremel bit flattening top off then use a bit put a groove in too making it so you can use flat head to take out screw. Heating up is out the window the threads are almost gone. I just will make sure to not harm vacuum.
Les


Post# 406792 , Reply# 15   3/16/2019 at 21:29 (1,838 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
Lesinutah

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Les,

Order part no. 102080 (4.5" long rear axle). That way, you will not destroy this precious Emtor.

~Ben



Post# 406846 , Reply# 16   3/18/2019 at 00:28 (1,837 days old) by rivstg1 (colorado springs)        
Lesinutah

rivstg1's profile picture
In reply #10...What's a heritage 13? Never heard of that nor seen it on the poster, nor have heard of a Legend 13.

Help?


Post# 406848 , Reply# 17   3/18/2019 at 01:44 (1,837 days old) by kirbyklekter (Concord,Ca.)        
Kirby Classic III

Ben, Did the hammer tone emtor come on certain models or was this an after market custom piece. Until I saw yours, I didn't know they existed. Billy

Post# 406849 , Reply# 18   3/18/2019 at 06:27 (1,836 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
kirbyklekter

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Billy,

This item actually did exist if one ordered the Heritage II with the shake out bag, which was deemed an optional feature. This option was mostly ordered for business use, instead of home use.

~Ben


Post# 432109 , Reply# 19   9/20/2020 at 00:56 (1,285 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Heritage

lesinutah's profile picture
The model plate on a heritage with a 13 inch nozzle reads heritage 13. The heritage 2 with the same setup reads heritage 2 13.
There is a heritage 13.


Post# 432113 , Reply# 20   9/20/2020 at 02:33 (1,285 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
LesinUtah

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Les,

I know that, but this one did not come with it from the factory.

The 13" nozzle on my machine has a September 1985 manufacturing date, but the machine itself is dated February 1987 (per fan case).

I do wish I had an actual Heritage 1HD-13 and/or Heritage II (Legend) 2HD-13.

~Ben


Post# 432121 , Reply# 21   9/20/2020 at 12:11 (1,284 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)        
Free Shakeout Bag...

human's profile picture
I am really not at all fond of shakeout/dump bags. I picked up a Heritage 1HD on eBay with a dump bag setup last spring and assembled it with a complete H2 disposable bag assembly I had on hand, eventually swapping the gray H2 outer bag for a proper orange one. I've still got the orange dump bag and sani-emptor that came with this machine but have no use for them. If anybody would like to have them, just let me know and they're yours. I was gifted the orange bag that's on the machine now, so the least I can do is pay the favor forward. I did pull the gray bag topper and guard band off of it but it's otherwise complete. These parts are the same on the dump bag or disposable bag setup so they're easily replaceable; in fact, if you're converting a machine, you probably have these pieces already.

Post# 432161 , Reply# 22   9/20/2020 at 22:45 (1,284 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Hey

lesinutah's profile picture
I'd love the heritage item.
lesinutah@hotmail.com. if you could email me that would be great.
I just got a heritage 84. It was my wife parents vacuum. I polished it up pretty good and did a spa treatment.
Ben my reply to.kelton. I realized he was asking what's a heritage 13 assuming doesn't exist. He used to mock me often.
Im being blunt. If you are going to be wise butt... Just stop and I'll keep off your threads. I'll be nice.


Thanks ben.


Post# 432174 , Reply# 23   9/21/2020 at 00:51 (1,284 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
LesinUtah

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Les,

I am sorry if I may have offended you in any way about this.

~Ben


Post# 432186 , Reply# 24   9/21/2020 at 08:22 (1,283 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)        

human's profile picture
@Lesinutah: The bag is yours. I just sent you an email with "Heritage bag" in the subject line.

Post# 432222 , Reply# 25   9/21/2020 at 16:38 (1,283 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Ben

lesinutah's profile picture
You never offend me.
Edgar thank you so much.



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