Vintage Kirby Questions

Les,

The Tradition was 1979-1981, actually... and yes, multiple versions (aside from the choice of disposable bag or shake-out bag) did exist:
Summer 1979: with speed switch mounted to inside of headlight cap, and headlight lock button. All front-mounted accessories (rug nozzle, hose, Crystalator, Miracle Head, Handi-Butler and Rug Renovator) have a metal pin to jibe with one of the two buttons of the new-style speed switch (only the hose uses the high speed button).
Fall 1979: speed switch re-located back to fan case below suction intake opening; headlight lock still intact, but will be discontinued shortly after.
Winter 1979-80: suction relief vent removed from rug nozzle.
Summer 1980: new gray Lexan fan, wheels now treaded instead of smooth.
Winter 1980-81: ribbed foot switch instead of smooth, and new-style air intake nozzle (same as the one for the Heritage and later machines, but in blue).

The fall 1979 to 1981 iterations would all have had a blue rubber boot over the speed switch (which also goes inside the fan case) which, like the very first Traditions that had the speed switch mounted to inside the headlight cap, ensured that no moisture would get inside the motor while the Rug Renovator was used.

All iterations of the Tradition before the summer of 1980 had the 10-blade metal fan and the smooth wheels (no tread).

As to the Heritage 1HD (1981-1984), the 13" nozzle was first made an option in late 1982 or early 1983, after the COMVAC 1300 had come out.

And lastly, to answer your question about my 1979 Tradition's headlight lock cap, I have not yet gotten around to it, but maybe sometime soon.

~Ben


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Post# 398929 9/29/2018 at 10:17 (2,036 days old) by DoraDave (Memphis)
Checkrate/Likes I need some enlightenment, please. What's the difference between these Kirby models: Classic, 1CR, 1CB, Omega? I get the Classic III as its "red-ish." I have 2 Sanitronic VII(s), and 2 mixed up Classic 1CRs and Omegas. Is there a guide out there on the differences between Kirby models? Thanks!

Post# 398937 , Reply# 1 9/29/2018 at 12:52 (2,036 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Hey* Hey Years probably off Kirby class-model 1cr 1970-1972 Kirby classic omega 1cb01972-1974 maybe 1975 Kirby classic iii-2cb 1975-1979 Tradition 3 cb 1979-1982 Les

Post# 398940 , Reply# 2 9/29/2018 at 13:43 (2,036 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Even though the Classic 1CR and Classic Omega 1CB look the same, they are totally different on the inside. The Classic 1CR is actually similar to the D80 and D50 internally. They all use the same safety switch and motor, whereas the 1CB and models afterward do not.

Post# 398943 , Reply# 3 9/29/2018 at 14:34 (2,036 days old) by kirbyklekter (Concord,Ca.)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *I thought with the "classic"* they bumped the motor up to six amps and that was the model that came with the larger floor nozzle etc.No?

Post# 398947 , Reply# 4 9/29/2018 at 16:10 (2,036 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *DoraDave* Dave, Here you go... 1CR Classic (1970-1973): chocolate brown trim, 6 amp motor, last Kirby to use the safety switch and many internal motor-related parts from models D50/D80. First Kirby with large 16" nozzle and, later, Shag King. 1CB Classic Omega (1973-1976): rosewood trim, new double-insulated motor (still 6 amps). Is final Kirby to have the old-style Handi-Butler and certain related parts (Handi-Sharpener and Swedish Massager) as well as the Miracle Waxer. Cloth bag design varied: early models had a gold KGF-40-style bag (summer 1973), then switched to pinstripes (fall/winter 1973), and in late 1974 switched to vinyl diamondback fabric. ~Ben

Post# 398949 , Reply# 5 9/29/2018 at 16:23 (2,036 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes *Ben* Hey I know tradition was 1979-1982. I know the heritage started in 1981. First question was shag king an option for tradition. I know most Bojack use classic classic 2 and tradition. The second question the heritage started selling in 1981 when was 13 inch nozzle an option. Personal question how is your safety switch coming along. Les

Post# 398950 , Reply# 6 9/29/2018 at 17:44 (2,036 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes *LesinUtah* Les, The Tradition was 1979-1981, actually... and yes, multiple versions (aside from the choice of disposable bag or shake-out bag) did exist: Summer 1979: with speed switch mounted to inside of headlight cap, and headlight lock button. All front-mounted accessories (rug nozzle, hose, Crystalator, Miracle Head, Handi-Butler and Rug Renovator) have a metal pin to jibe with one of the two buttons of the new-style speed switch (only the hose uses the high speed button). Fall 1979: speed switch re-located back to fan case below suction intake opening; headlight lock still intact, but will be discontinued shortly after. Winter 1979-80: suction relief vent removed from rug nozzle. Summer 1980: new gray Lexan fan, wheels now treaded instead of smooth. Winter 1980-81: ribbed foot switch instead of smooth, and new-style air intake nozzle (same as the one for the Heritage and later machines, but in blue). The fall 1979 to 1981 iterations would all have had a blue rubber boot over the speed switch (which also goes inside the fan case) which, like the very first Traditions that had the speed switch mounted to inside the headlight cap, ensured that no moisture would get inside the motor while the Rug Renovator was used. All iterations of the Tradition before the summer of 1980 had the 10-blade metal fan and the smooth wheels (no tread). As to the Heritage 1HD (1981-1984), the 13" nozzle was first made an option in late 1982 or early 1983, after the COMVAC 1300 had come out. And lastly, to answer your question about my 1979 Tradition's headlight lock cap, I have not yet gotten around to it, but maybe sometime soon. ~Ben

Post# 398994 , Reply# 7 9/30/2018 at 18:41 (2,035 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes *Ben* Thanks for info. Was classic 3 last vacuum to have shag king or was tradition and heritage the last. Les

Post# 398996 , Reply# 8 9/30/2018 at 18:46 (2,035 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes *Lesinutah* Les, The Tradition did have the Shag King early on, but it was dropped with the summer 1980 production run. Oddly, the very first Heritage instruction book shows the nozzle having the holes on the side for the accessory you mention! ~Ben

Post# 399012 , Reply# 9 9/30/2018 at 21:50 (2,035 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Ben* That is weird my 1979 tradition manual has shag king but later tradition manual I think 1981 didn't have in the manual. I might have seen blue shag king but if I have I don't remember. It isn't something I'd necessarily ever use but completing collection for tradition. The tradition accessories I have quite a few of. I don't have all of it but not more than tradition set. Heritage original turbo brush and I think legend 2 zipp brush are sweet. I have a turbo sander accessory. Begind rug rennovator and zipp/turbo brush is best attachment available. Anyways maybe one-day I can get shag king. Maybe not but good to know it's out there. Les

Post# 399015 , Reply# 10 9/30/2018 at 22:20 (2,035 days old) by Rivstg1 (colorado springs)
Checkrate/Likes *Les,* I wish I had thick enough ( shag) to really use....my two Shag King attachments ( Classic and Classic III ). I haven seen one in Tradition blue though

Post# 399021 , Reply# 11 9/30/2018 at 22:44 (2,034 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes *Hey* I just found one on eBay for $35 I believe. I have one for my classic but $35 it's on list but not that high. Les