burn me on a stake I've modernised my 94 lava dome

dvatcmark

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before I get loads of abuse this is just a trial !

2012-03-28214108.jpg


I had planned to restore this lava dome to near catalogue condition as over got all the original parts except for wheels and tyres, but before I start I've decided to try it out with modern gear on it.

Initial thoughts are its a bit slack with 100mm forks, although I think the head angle will bed ok with a 90mm stem. I think itll be the slackened seat angle that might spoil the ride though . I can drop the forks to 80mm to try mitigating three effects .

I can't be the first to try this though so any comments
 
There's a lot of debate on here re the foibles of fitting too long a fork to a retro frame; but there's only 20mm difference between a period Judy and the fork you have...

...how bad can it be?

If you like the way it looks and rides then it's okay in my book 8)
 
I've done similar (also to a 1994 Lava Dome, the nicest paint job ever) - I found the bike very fast turning, but it also very nose-light making it a handful on steep climbs in low gears. With a 63mm fork and 110-120mm stem it felt right...strange, that's exactly what the stock setup was like. :?

I'm sure that with more patience and fiddling around with components I could have tweaked it, I suspect an inline post would be a good starting point.
 
I have a modernised Orange Clockwork (pics in my sig)

I contacted Orange who said it'd be OK with up to 100mm forks on it, I don't know what travel Kona rate your frame as being able to handle.

I have mine set @ 85mm, which seems to be just right for the bike, it doesn't handle like a chopper and it is the nicest handling comfiest retro bike I currently own

Excellent choice of fork, very tunable and easy travel changes
 
personal opinion only, but its a no for me.

to be honest i think it gives a view "he want a tredy new bike, but cant aford it, so had tarted up his old thing"

whereas dressed in its retro suit this frame is legendary!!
 
rear mech, discs and great big white decals on the forks look very wrong on an old school slim steel frame.
 
gtRTSdh":7qyyweyl said:
rear mech, discs and great big white decals on the forks look very wrong on an old school slim steel frame.

Atleast the 2005 chainset is acceptable :D well spotted that it's still running it's original front mech!

It's only a trial, I've got all the original bits stored in the garage. Not sure about it looking like I can't afford a new bike, imo anyone riding an old kona frame knows what they are doing!
 
build it , ride it , make your own mind up

i stuck 395 mm a/c rigids on a 97 GT i have and it is a brilliant singetrack bike

ride it then judge ,its 20 mins to swap back
 
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