Dating a Kona Hei Hei

[jimijazz]

Sounds like a lot of expense just to improve the rear braking a bit!

Sounds like a bargain to get Ti work done and a new brake mount added.
ESPECIALLY by DeKerf.

FYI, the bill for the short run of weld under the BB on mine was (IIRC) £120. For about a 12mm re-weld... No boss removal, disc tabs or anything.

Is it worth it? I'd say yes.
But the cheaper option would have been to buy Cass's frame last week:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32101&highlight=hei+hei

With disc mount added at the factory. Ti-Sports used to do this for customers for about $200USD if you mailed them the frame... but then stopped. Now it's not clear if they're still making bike frames at all.

why don't you ask Paligap where they get warranty repairs done on ti Konas?

Were Kona still making Ti frames when Paligap took over as the UK distributor?

I've spoken to Paligap, and they're asking Kona as they don't know anyone this side of the pond. Ti-Sports are still making frames - at least it has them for sale on their website.

Regardless, I'm not sure if it's all getting to be too much hassle!

 

[Tallpaul]

Maguras?

 

[jimijazz]

Maguras?

ewww... No thanks! They look hideous and I'm fed up with rim brakes rubbing and grinding everytime you go through mud.

 

[Tallpaul]

ewww... No thanks! They look hideous and I'm fed up with rim brakes rubbing and grinding everytime you go through mud.

Ooh, that told me

I agree though, rim brakes are a pain for winter riding. But of all rim brakes i've tried Maguras are the best; and the pads can popped in and out without altering the setup.

 

[jimijazz]

ewww... No thanks! They look hideous and I'm fed up with rim brakes rubbing and grinding everytime you go through mud.

Ooh, that told me

I agree though, rim brakes are a pain for winter riding. But of all rim brakes i've tried Maguras are the best; and the pads can popped in and out without altering the setup.

Ha ha. Even before disks were the norm, I hated the look of Magura's. Just something about the lurid yellow paint job turned me right off them!
V's are good, but I'd love disks and it's just a question of how to go about doing it really.

 

[Anthony]

why don't you ask Paligap where they get warranty repairs done on ti Konas?

Were Kona still making Ti frames when Paligap took over as the UK distributor?

Surely the original owner has a lifetime warranty from Kona and deals with them via whoever happens to be the importer at the time of the failure, don't they? Say Second Level Sport went bust, surely that wouldn't void your Kona warranty?

I've spoken to Paligap, and they're asking Kona as they don't know anyone this side of the pond. Ti-Sports are still making frames - at least it has them for sale on their website.

Just shows how tough ti frames are if Paligap has never had a warranty repair to deal with!

 

[DM]

I've spoken to Paligap, and they're asking Kona as they don't know anyone this side of the pond. Ti-Sports are still making frames - at least it has them for sale on their website.

Just shows how tough ti frames are if Paligap has never had a warranty repair to deal with!

That was my point too, really - About Paligap being relative newcomers. But yes, as the current brand importer I guess they inherit warranty backup for existing owners.

I called Paligap once about decals for my bike 1998 bike (this was about 2001/2?)... they weren't exactly clued-up on the back-catalogue of the brand.

"...a Fire Mtn, you say?... made of STEEL?..." :roll:

 

[jimijazz]

They'll be asking me how many pivots there are on my frame next

 

[jimijazz]

Just got a reply from Kona Tech - Frame is 1995, decals from 1996.

Frame size is 19".

HA 71
SA 74
TT 23"
Cstay 16.75
Offset 1.6"
Standover 29"

 

[Jones]

Or you could just buy this lot off me

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36562

Which funnily enough came off my Hei Hei