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Thread Number: 45974
/ Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
Kinda trashed Kirby |
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Post# 474466 12/6/2024 at 20:37 by JustJunque  (Western MA) |
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Hey all.
I've been talking about this Kirby in a different thread, but I thought maybe it should have its own. I've been looking at it in a local thrift store for a couple/few weeks. It was marked $14.99. Normally, I would probably have grabbed it right away, even though I'm trying to cut back. But, it was missing its nozzle. Today, I went back. Not only was it still there, but it was half price. So, I gave in and brought it home. The good, I guess, is that it's a Heritage II Legend. If I'm interpreting the numbers correctly, it was made in February of 1988. The bad: Aside from the usual dull, spotted aluminum, it's missing the aforementioned nozzle. It came with its hose and upholstery tool, but the machine end of the hose is broken. And, taking a closer look at it when I got it home, I realized that the fan is broken. There's a chunk missing out of it. It might still be the older grey fan. I looked up a video on replacing the fan, and there's no way I'm taking on that job myself. So, now I'm not sure what to do with it. Wait until I have a new phone that can take pictures, and sell the usable parts on eBay? I hate to. My nature is to want to save everything and fix it up. But, once again, I'm afraid I've bitten off more than I can chew. Thoughts? | ||
| Post# 474475 , Reply# 1 12/7/2024 at 14:57 by CaptChar (Niagara Falls) | ||
Kirby fans are fairly easy to to replace, I use a small Philips after the fan housing with its 5 or 6 screws are out, and an old ice pick in the motor pin hole just above/bellow the motor fan in the powerplant housing to replace, as for nozzles, technically speaking you can use any power head, if you bypass the safety switch, not recommended but I mean if you wanna franken Kirby from that era you could, also there's a few sites out there you can get just parts from too, imo even if you can't get a power head immediately you can get air powered brushes for the hose giving you still a usable machine in the mean time
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Post# 474476 , Reply# 2 12/7/2024 at 15:31 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Thanks.
If I keep it, I’m going to wait until I find exactly the right pieces and parts. I’m a fuddy duddy about stuff like that. I know it’s far from impressive at this point, but here’s a few pictures. One of the first things I do with a used vacuum is remove the used bag. This one appeared to be empty, but I took it out anyway. I was surprised to find that it was a generic (Walmart) Hoover Type A bag. Is that something that those who know Kirbys are aware of? | ||
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Post# 474484 , Reply# 3 12/7/2024 at 18:30 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Post# 474487 , Reply# 4 12/7/2024 at 21:06 by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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JustJunque | ||
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Post# 474488 , Reply# 5 12/7/2024 at 21:25 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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| Post# 474489 , Reply# 6 12/8/2024 at 00:36 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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Post# 474493 , Reply# 7 12/8/2024 at 04:12 by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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JustJunque
Barry,
The motor coupling you mention was part no. 211084S and can be found on eBay and other places. https://www.ebay.com/itm/265279257560... ~Ben | ||
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Post# 474499 , Reply# 8 12/8/2024 at 14:49 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Alex,
Yeah. Knowing me, I'll be keeping it. My only other Kirby is a G4. So, I think it's kind of cool to have a pre-Tech Drive model. The Heritage seems smaller and lighter. Of course, part of that is due to the lack of a nozzle. I found a couple of videos that show replacing the machine end of the hose; one using a screwdriver, and one using needle nosed pliers. Whatever the tool, they basically fold in the end of the hose, which allows the broken end to pull off, and the new one to push on. I would think the pliers would be a slightly safer option; less likely to poke a hole through the hose. Of course, the bigger issue is the need to replace the fan. I know, people with at least a little bit of skill have said it's not too difficult to do. But, I've watched some videos on that too. I can tell it's not a job for me to even attempt. Maybe the local vac shop wouldn't charge me too much to do it. I do like the looks of the Heritage II. For a nozzle, I'd definitely want the one that has Heritage II and Legend on the belt lifter. I remember Jimmy in Tennessee posted pictures of some Kirby nozzles that he was just scrapping. I wonder if one of them was the one I need. Unfortunately, I didn't own this machine at the time. | ||
| Post# 474511 , Reply# 9 12/9/2024 at 11:23 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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Post# 474543 , Reply# 10 12/11/2024 at 13:56 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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I had a couple of questions about this Kirby, but they probably got lost in the mix, as I tend to ramble.
I'll try to condense just the questions. 1.) When I took out the disposable bag that was in it, the previous owner was using a generic Hoover Tyoe A bag. Is that a common substitute for a Kirby bag in this model? They're kind of spendy, but I know Hoover offers a HEPA version of the Type A bag. Or, would the genuine Kirby HEPA bags that I bought for my G4 also fit the Heritage II? It's going to be a long time before I need to worry about putting a bag in it, but I'd just like to know. 2.) Has anyone else ever replaced the machine end of the hose on a Heritage II? If so, does the procedure I mentioned seeing in a video sound like the right way to do it? Folding in the end of the hose with either a screwdriver or needle-nosed pliers, to allow the broken end to come off, and the new one to go on. I'm just worried that it might compromise the hose, and the new end won't stay on securely. I don't want to completely ruin the hose in the process. Thank you all. | ||
| Post# 474545 , Reply# 11 12/12/2024 at 13:54 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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Post# 475046 , Reply# 12 1/7/2025 at 11:06 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Found a nozzle
Well, the vacuum itself still needs work, including a new fan. But, at least it looks more complete now.
I was able to find a complete nozzle (or head?) for $25. I like that it has the model names that correspond to what the vacuum actually is. It’s not perfect, but I’d say it’s in comparable condition to the rest of the machine. When it’s not attached to the machine, the brushroll seems a little loose. But, when it’s installed, it doesn’t. I imagine it’s because of the belt tension. Is that normal, or is there a problem? It’s not going to get used any time soon. I’m just trying to get a better understanding of what I’m dealing with. Here’s a couple of pictures. One with the inspector, and one without. 🙂 | ||
| Post# 475050 , Reply# 13 1/7/2025 at 18:27 by Lesinutah (Utah) | ||
Hey | ||
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Post# 475051 , Reply# 14 1/7/2025 at 19:53 by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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LesinUtah
Les,
The date code you see breaks down like this: 4 = plant code (3=Cleveland, OH; 4=Kirby West, Andrews, TX) 88 = year built (1988) 02 = month of year (February) 02611 = sequential serial number So, February 1988 would be the correct date of manufacture, and assembled at Kirby West in Andrews, TX. ~Ben | ||
| Post# 475056 , Reply# 15 1/8/2025 at 14:27 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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Post# 475067 , Reply# 16 1/9/2025 at 17:15 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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