Early Model G3???

Yes, Kirby had running changes throughout the production of each of their machines.

For example: model 513 had the new red trim for the headlight and nozzle bumpers, the new "push-push" foot switch and the new brush roll and rug plate from the beginning of production, but in the early days it still had the old 3 amp motor, gray handle grip and stationary top cord hook from model 512; the running changes for the model included a new swiveling top cord hook, red handle grip, and 4 amp motor.

Model 514 was mostly similar to the revised model 513 except for a revised handle fork and slightly revised handle grip, and the one running change was to the brush roll's adjusting screws at serial no. 482228: they were lengthened from 1" to 1-3/8"; you cannot use the brush rolls from a late 514 to Dual Sanitronic 80 or COMVAC 1300 or a 13" wide Heritage/Legend nozzle on any 513 or 514 nozzle (at serial no. 482227 or lower) unless you remove these longer adjusting screws first (and one at a time).

Model 515 was mostly similar to the 514, except for a new and improved 10-blade aluminum fan; the few running changes to the machine during the 4th quarter of production were all cosmetic: the previously black wheels were now gray, and the mostly gray basic attachments were now red, with the gray braided hose replaced by a red vinyl one (a preview of what we'd see on the all-new model 516).

But to discuss the topic at hand: early Generation 3s also had a clear Emtor body and sleeve-bearing brush roll with different brush adjustment caps. I believe your cleaner was built in January 1990 (serial number X9001XXXXX).

~Ben

This post was last edited 07/10/2020 at 01:02


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Post# 428364 7/9/2020 at 13:47 (1,387 days old) by nick789 (maryland)
Checkrate/Likes I am fixing up a family members Kirby g3 and upon having it I noticed a couple things I've never seen before. when I took out the slider control to oil it I noticed there was no spring at the bottom or any holes where the screws would go and on the side instead of the regular hard plastic piece the was a rubber piece that half of it fits into the housing although I don't know if its a genuine Kirby part as it doesnt have the Kirby stamp anywhere. has anyone seen this before? Photos... < > Photo 1 of 3 View Full Size

Post# 428365 , Reply# 1 7/9/2020 at 14:09 (1,386 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)
Checkrate/Likes I think making running changes to a product line is pretty common in most industries. The date of manufacture should be encoded into the serial number on the motor housing. That should help you determine if it's an early production model.

Post# 428371 , Reply# 2 7/9/2020 at 16:43 (1,386 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)
Checkrate/Likes The G3 didn't have the centering spring on the slide block, that came with the G4. The original cord cover was rubber and not plastic.

Post# 428376 , Reply# 3 7/9/2020 at 17:54 (1,386 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes *Yes* Those are Kirby parts. There is a few differences between g3 and g4. Les

Post# 428389 , Reply# 4 7/9/2020 at 21:21 (1,386 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes Yes, Kirby had running changes throughout the production of each of their machines. For example: model 513 had the new red trim for the headlight and nozzle bumpers, the new "push-push" foot switch and the new brush roll and rug plate from the beginning of production, but in the early days it still had the old 3 amp motor, gray handle grip and stationary top cord hook from model 512; the running changes for the model included a new swiveling top cord hook, red handle grip, and 4 amp motor. Model 514 was mostly similar to the revised model 513 except for a revised handle fork and slightly revised handle grip, and the one running change was to the brush roll's adjusting screws at serial no. 482228: they were lengthened from 1" to 1-3/8"; you cannot use the brush rolls from a late 514 to Dual Sanitronic 80 or COMVAC 1300 or a 13" wide Heritage/Legend nozzle on any 513 or 514 nozzle (at serial no. 482227 or lower) unless you remove these longer adjusting screws first (and one at a time). Model 515 was mostly similar to the 514, except for a new and improved 10-blade aluminum fan; the few running changes to the machine during the 4th quarter of production were all cosmetic: the previously black wheels were now gray, and the mostly gray basic attachments were now red, with the gray braided hose replaced by a red vinyl one (a preview of what we'd see on the all-new model 516). But to discuss the topic at hand: early Generation 3s also had a clear Emtor body and sleeve-bearing brush roll with different brush adjustment caps. I believe your cleaner was built in January 1990 (serial number X9001XXXXX). ~Ben This post was last edited 07/10/2020 at 01:02