Help needed. Kona content.

[mk one]

Re: Re:

Another picture FC posted previously.
Thanks FC.
Interesting that this one is yellow as is mine.
With the addition of the red fade. Post clamp location,
curved top of tube and u-brake all the same.
Same tubing decal in same location.
Case closed. We in agreement?

Looks like a kona and that explains the different features

Now, i was going to just toss bin bits on it as is.
Is it special enough to deserve better?
Paint? Decals?
Or leave all it's battle scars and make a daily rider of it?
Certainly would be cheaper.

I suppose it would depend on the condition of the frame, personally i would be tempted to leave it and build it to ride, for now at least. Could always restore it in the future if you felt that way inclined

Im sure it would look great as i imagine your parts bin to be pretty decent anyway

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

It's a single colour respray (a Dupont Imron yellow?)
So would be tempting and at least easier than than most.

Decals of that era and that nice prestige sticker...

Pub rider with a bit of XT/XC Pro slapped on from he parts bin...

 

[al-onestare]

Re:

I've never seen a Kona with a scalloped seat tube like that.

That's not to say they never made one of course! It's just, even in the really early days, they were never like that.

So it's either a very early, super rare transition model, or something else.

 

[Retro_Roy]

Re:

Thought about what you said. ^^^^
It appears that the pre-Kona Kona's known as Cascade
may have a bit of a similar scalloped seat tube detail.
I haven't found too many pictures yet. Maybe these Explosif's
are a small 1st run version before full production as per brochure.
Might also explain why a couple were found here on west coast
as this is the home of Kona. All speculation on my part of course.
If you have one of these Cascades post a picture.

 

[Retro_Roy]

Re:

Retro Roy's Bizzarro World Theory

Kona Timeline

1988

• Kona is founded by Dan Gerhard & Jacob Heilbron, with offices opening in Blaine, Washington and Vancouver, BC. First bicycles are introduced as Cascade, but changed later in the year to Kona. Joe Murray is the first bike designer/product manager.

As it stands now, everyone lumps 88/89 Kona models all together with the one brochure. According to the above timeline the name change happened
in 1988. What if we assume that this brochure is only for 1989 and all of these bikes matching the brochure are 1989's. The 1988 Cascade line seems to have had only two models, Fire Mountain and Lava Dome. Possibly the Explosif's like mine that have appeared are the maiden voyage of a new model
for what ever portion of 1988 under the new Kona brand name. A new brand would want to get people's attention.
Makes sense to start with it's flagship not some entry level model. Who would you impress with that? Then came out in 1989 with a complete line up of bikes incorporating the old Cascade models and the new Explosif. I realize this theory is out there. Should be a lot of resistence. But it is plausable. Makes more sense to me than a random bunch of frames with serial numbers all relatively close and different from the norm showing up randomly from a company that is mass producing off shore. It could be a transition model as al-onestare stated. Kona then tweeked it and came out with the new and improved 1989 Kona line up.
All this ignores anything related to Kona serial numbers already known.
Think it over and let's hear your thoughts. Expand on this or prove me wrong. All good.
This all just may be the product of too much booze and drugs.

 

[al-onestare]

Re:

I think you're pretty much spot on. It's likely to be an early release, maybe for shows and fairs, or just an early batch run before things settled down (did they ever?).

I'll stick my neck out and say I think it's pre 88 range, an 88 promo bike.

Have you managed to check the full SN?

 

[Retro_Roy]

Re:

Serial number appears to be T90603 and what appear to
be a faint shadow of a 5 further down that wasn't obvious
when looking at it. Only noticed it in the picture. Will have
another look and get back to you.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

There's a number before it too 0ish

Anyway 1989 (or 1990 but the 6 would be in the wrong place?) if some of the other Kona and Orange bikes from around then
Oh and of course starts the same as that other frame


And as an extra the cantilever version start T90 too but no idea what the next number is

 

[Retro_Roy]

Once in awhile another pops up.
on my local craigslist right now.
asking $200.

 

[al-onestare]

That's brilliant - I can't make out the decal on the top tube - can you? Is it a model name? Love the colour matched bars.

What did you do with the Explosif in the end?