I'm new to the forum, this my first post. I've been enjoying the 1993 Kona Kilauea details within the site since digging one out of a dumpster three weeks ago.
I love the old mountain bikes, started myself in 85' and worked up the mostly XT Ritchey Ascent around 88' which I no longer have. I was always wanting one of these style of bike with better geometry, etc. I have a 2008 Kona Dawgma FS which I've replaced every part with high end units over the years so I'm into the old and the new. Anyway I'm pretty handy with a wrench and love working on bikes. Eight years ago we bought a 'summer place' park model trailed in Birch Bay Washington USA where an appalling amount of nice bikes are thrown into a steel scrap bin on a regular basis, more often they are dept store junk. The Kilauea I found is the 17th bike I have plucked out and restored.
As found was mostly original except missing one front brake lever (with a low end V brake), seat, seatpost (the ones in the picture are temporary), kinda banged up but lot's of potential. I have a crawlspace full of old parts and will add some Dia-Compe SS5 or Tech 5 levers, most like some LX cantilevers to replace a low end V brake). Ive tracked down a stock seatpost on eBay and ordered a middle & granny ring along with some very light 26X1.96 Kenda Small Block Eight Pro folding tires. The wheels are LX hubs with a Mavic front rim and Araya rear so not looking too stock. I plan to throw in a titanium Syncros BB and some other treats so will never be fully stock. Here's a pick as found:
The paint was not the worst but very faded with a few rust spots especially where a lot of chain suck happened
I masked the decals only and found a surprisingly good rattle can color match, laid down a new coat of paint last night.
I have a great color match for the stem and fork and have lot's of work left but will post updates as I go! If I good only make a living doing this it would be pleasure going to work
I love the old mountain bikes, started myself in 85' and worked up the mostly XT Ritchey Ascent around 88' which I no longer have. I was always wanting one of these style of bike with better geometry, etc. I have a 2008 Kona Dawgma FS which I've replaced every part with high end units over the years so I'm into the old and the new. Anyway I'm pretty handy with a wrench and love working on bikes. Eight years ago we bought a 'summer place' park model trailed in Birch Bay Washington USA where an appalling amount of nice bikes are thrown into a steel scrap bin on a regular basis, more often they are dept store junk. The Kilauea I found is the 17th bike I have plucked out and restored.
As found was mostly original except missing one front brake lever (with a low end V brake), seat, seatpost (the ones in the picture are temporary), kinda banged up but lot's of potential. I have a crawlspace full of old parts and will add some Dia-Compe SS5 or Tech 5 levers, most like some LX cantilevers to replace a low end V brake). Ive tracked down a stock seatpost on eBay and ordered a middle & granny ring along with some very light 26X1.96 Kenda Small Block Eight Pro folding tires. The wheels are LX hubs with a Mavic front rim and Araya rear so not looking too stock. I plan to throw in a titanium Syncros BB and some other treats so will never be fully stock. Here's a pick as found:
The paint was not the worst but very faded with a few rust spots especially where a lot of chain suck happened
I masked the decals only and found a surprisingly good rattle can color match, laid down a new coat of paint last night.
I have a great color match for the stem and fork and have lot's of work left but will post updates as I go! If I good only make a living doing this it would be pleasure going to work
