Help with how to build up my frame

dyna-ti":2iacass0 said:

rojo":2iacass0 said:

Thanks for that will look at getting the kit. Am i best getting retro parts to go on frame?? What bits are best??

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Find a groupset you like and stick to it,then match the bits ie s/post,stem,and bars by one company[say controltech or kore]
My torus build started life as a bit of bling with 3dv cook cranks ,an amp F4 fork and paul boosters
It looked pretty poo and everyone agreed [they're not shy here]
Changing to xt m739 groupo and a regular fork made a massive difference to the overall look,its better for it
XT m735 is pretty retro as it goes and can be hard to get ,so that makes for a good project, tracking it all down
Buy expensive-sell cheap,its the retrobike way

No matter how you build it or what you use ,someone here wont like it or will query your choice of stem angle/seat position.
Dont be disheartened

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I am worried i will get slagged off with how i build it, i am such a newbie to all this. When i had my Kona kilauea before i didn't do anything to it just rode it, so i am completely new to all this building stuff. Just want a nice looking Kona at the end of it that hasn't cost me loads to build.

rojo":3ad9t222 said:

How do you put the stuff on to strip the old paint colour off??

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Nitromorse comes in a green tin, pour some into the lid (which is a small container) and just brush it onto the frame, use a scraper or flat blad screwdriver to scrape it off, then sand the frame using 120 - 240 dry sandpaper then finish off with 600 wet or dry used wet, use a Scotchbrite pad to get into corners, wipe it down with degreaser or meths to get rid of any grease and it'll be ready for the primer.

Would'nt worry about getting slagged off, no one does that on here anyway, as Dyna said you may get comments like "i wouldn't have that saddle or that many spacers under the stem or may look better with X component etc " but those are just honest opinions rather than critisisms.

Look through readers bikes (if you've not done already) for other Kona builds to get an idea of what others have done and what looks good/bad

jimihendrix":zra2jqxl said:

rojo":zra2jqxl said:

How do you put the stuff on to strip the old paint colour off??

Click to expand...

Nitromorse comes in a green tin, pour some into the lid (which is a small container) and just brush it onto the frame, use a scraper or flat blad screwdriver to scrape it off, then sand the frame using 120 - 240 dry sandpaper then finish off with 600 wet or dry used wet, use a Scotchbrite pad to get into corners, wipe it down with degreaser or meths to get rid of any grease and it'll be ready for the primer.

Would'nt worry about getting slagged off, no one does that on here anyway, as Dyna said you may get comments like "i wouldn't have that saddle or that many spacers under the stem or may look better with X component etc " but those are just honest opinions rather than critisisms.

Look through readers bikes (if you've not done already) for other Kona builds to get an idea of what others have done and what looks good/bad

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Cool i will get some of that stuff and do that once i get the frame, everyone has been a great help with how to respray the frame feel i have alot better idea what i am doing now. I haven't a clue what parts to put on frame but i am sure you guys will have some ideas for me.

I told the wife about the two colour thing you did with your frame, she reckons i should do different colours lol. Think i will stick with just white for now.

Right when i start buying bits to go on the frame , where is best to get the bits at good prices??

Why not monitor prices on this site for the parts you have in mind? You can also look on Singletrack, Ebay or the CTC website.

If you can, hook up with someone who can advise you about whether the prices asked are reasonable.

From my observations on this site bargains get snapped up quickly - stuff that's still hanging around after a day or so is more pricey or specialist.

CAS":2l70t2et said:

Why not monitor prices on this site for the parts you have in mind? You can also look on Singletrack, Ebay or the CTC website.

If you can, hook up with someone who can advise you about whether the prices asked are reasonable.

From my observations on this site bargains get snapped up quickly - stuff that's still hanging around after a day or so is more pricey or specialist.

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I will have a look on here when i got some cash free to buy bits. I haven't a clue what to get though? What wheels etc??

tintin40":3bd4ls50 said:

A bike stand

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Best thing to get imo. Otherwise you'll be bending down all the time and get back ache as well as numerous other aching parts.

Building a bike is the same as building a PC. The bits are all supposed to be compatible but you'll get the odd one that just won't get on with all the other parts. I call this the James Dean syndrome. They're rebels without a cause.

nitromors is great stuff but will burn your hands if not careful...

like has been said i used a paint brush to get it on and a wire brush/plastic scraper/scotchbrite to get it and paint off..

in stubborn areas i used all sorts of drill attachments on my drill cheaply obtained from Wilkos.

I have used Halfords black and white spray cans in the past on car stuff and rate them quite highly for what they do and price paid as do ppl on car forums..

the sunnier and hotter day you choose to spray will achieve a greater finish as the paint can get "baked" on to the frame but you may want to make up a 3 sided booth of plastic sheet or whatever to stop things flying on to drying paint.

i reckon if you prepared the frame for paint a friendly one man band back street paint chap could do a well priced spray job for you in whatever colour he is sprayin a car and then top it with lacquer to get it too shine and look as deep as the ocean....30-50 quid maybe?

Thanks again for posts everyone all great help. Would i be able to put disc brakes on the 1994 frame or wouldn't they git on older frame?