1996 Kona Lava Dome - COMPLETE

[Nick C]

I've removed the paint on the brake bosses using a Dremel with a fine sanding tool and then finished them off with a little 1200 wet and dry.

The T-Cut is a nice idea but sadly too late on this occasion, the stickers are already applied. Certainly I will try this on any future project if needed.

Maybe I'm being too critical with the finish on this frame. While at Wheelbase today the mechanic and a couple of the sales team commented how nice it looked and asked where I got it sprayed. It seemed to be catching the eyes of quite a few customers too, which amused me when surrounded by so much sparkly new bike porn!

I've had the threads on the BB tube cleaned out and the BB is now fitted. I also had the headset cups fitted too. Slightly annoying, when I came to fit the forks and stem this afternoon, I seemed to be several bearings down and one bearing race to many!

The cables and grips arrived today and I have my eye on an 8 speed cassette in the 'for sale' section here. I'm also looking at the massively discounted wheels on Merlin at the moment, they are too good to pass up especially as the old wheels are shot.

 

[Nick C]

A picture of the stem and bar/shim which polished up well. It's the original bar and a little of the logo can still be seen (I've avoided polishing it off), but boy does it feel narrow!

The stem needs the excess paint cleaning off and a bit of touching up where I had to prize the clamp open to get the bars through. I'd forgotten how tight these clamps were. I also need to clean out the centre of the quill bolt head a little more.

The grips will most likely be changed for the original NOS Gripshifter grips, but the white grips do look good when on the bike. Would be a bugger to keep clean in white!

Looking for some suitable brakes and levers now, the Curves just won't have enough stopping power and I think I've gone too far beyond retro to worry about not using them.

While I'm finding this project a steep learning curve, I can't wait to start the next one with what I've learnt here.

 

[Nick C]

Still waiting for lots of bits to arrive, but this evening I threw a set of wheels on the girl to see what she's going to look like.

I need a new saddle (mainly white, with black detail) & possibly a new seatpost, although the original here is tidy enough after a quick buff.

The control center is a little cramped with these grips. The shifters are NOS which arrived this week, they have a set of grips with them, but I'm not sure I can bring myself to use them! Still no idea what to do with the brakes! I'm looking for a nice pair of alu levers and a nice set of V's.

 

[mikesnowdon]

Looking very nice dude!

Why not cut down the grips and use a pair of bling end caps such as Hope or something?

 

[Nick C]

That will most likely be the best step.

Trying to keep white grips clean is a bloody nightmare, they already have a hint of muck and I wash my hands before touching them! I may have to keep these just for show.

 

[mikesnowdon]

Cut down some foam grips and save a few grams.

 

[Nick C]

Well I don't think I can class this as the fastest build ever, but I'm nearly finished with her.

I'm waiting on a new chain arriving and then I need to hook up the gear and brake cables. The front wheel in the picture below is not the correct wheel for the bike, which is currently awaiting a new tyre and tube. I'll also change over the rear tyre and tube for a different item too.

I need to make a final decision on the pedals, I have my eye on a nice pair of On One white flats, but until the rest of my items arrive from CRC I'm holding off purchasing them. The levers too need changing for a pair with a longer reach, 2 finger jobbies are no good with Grip Shift IMHO.

I've changed my bar to the Bonty race light which came off my Trek, it's a bit long so will need cutting down, along with the grips.

But here it is in its present guise which I appreciate isn't exactly retro, but I do think looks bloody nice:

 

[8lezard]

 

[mikesnowdon]

What saddle is that?

Looking good. I like the look of the white grips against the white ring on the shifters

 

[kaytronika]

That looks about 5 minutes old, just wheeled out of the shop.

Awesome