Dating a Kona Hei Hei

[Anthony]

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

Maybe I shouldn't argue with Tech, but I must say I haven't found him to be infallible in the past. The decals are definitely from 1997, not 96. And if the frame is a 95, then it's the first 95 Hei Hei I've seen with the standard Kona shape, not the high top tube shape.

It would be interesting though to know what Tech's explanation might be for the shape of this bike being different from the Hei Hei in the 95 catalogue.

 

[jimijazz]

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

Maybe I shouldn't argue with Tech, but I must say I haven't found him to be infallible in the past. The decals are definitely from 1997, not 96. And if the frame is a 95, then it's the first 95 Hei Hei I've seen with the standard Kona shape, not the high top tube shape.

It would be interesting though to know what Tech's explanation might be for the shape of this bike being different from the Hei Hei in the 95 catalogue.

Wouldn't he be able to tell from the serial number? Still, 94 or 95, what difference does it make? The thing that confused me slightly was that he suggested running a 45mm fork! Not a chance of that happening!!!

 

[Anthony]

Wouldn't he be able to tell from the serial number? Still, 94 or 95, what difference does it make? The thing that confused me slightly was that he suggested running a 45mm fork! Not a chance of that happening!!!

No I know, Tech is always fussy about fork lengths, and yet if you ask Joe@Konaworld, he'll say use any fork you like.

And I agree about 94/95, to be honest I think all the Hei Heis around that time are the same and there's no great reason why it should matter to you. It's just that it's a bit of a conundrum and, as an amateur historian, I'd like to be able to explain it that's all.