King Kahuna

[simoni]

I have no idea of the age of my KK only that the serial number is KK13053.
I don't suppose anyone can shed any light on when it was made. The spec is not much help as I don't know if any of it is original.

Thanks in advance - joe at konaworld has not been replying to my request for information.

Also any idea where I can get a replacement set of decals and how badly it would handle with a 100mm fork fitted?

 

[andrewl]

I'd say that the serial number is more likely to be KK18053.

The serial number would suggest that its a 98 - 00 frame in size 18 and more likely to have been built closer to 1998 to 2000.

 

[simoni]

Why thank you very much! It is indeed an 18" frame.

 

[Anthony]

I have no idea of the age of my KK only that the serial number is KK13053.
I don't suppose anyone can shed any light on when it was made. The spec is not much help as I don't know if any of it is original.

Thanks in advance - joe at konaworld has not been replying to my request for information.

Also any idea where I can get a replacement set of decals and how badly it would handle with a 100mm fork fitted?

I'm surprised you didn't provoke Andrew into referring to your forks there. He has a 97 KK with the 100mm Z1 that was standard fitment, and he says it handles just fine. I think he relates that to his height (tall) and riding style, and I believe there may be a lot to that.

Even if you aren't tall though, the handling will be fine provided you view the stem, bar and fork as a matched package. If you have say 25mm sag on your 100mm fork, the sagged length will be c45cm, which is 4cm more than the frame was designed for and should produce a head angle of 68.5 or so. That is quite slack, but not untypical of modern design. Modern design would also employ a c80-100mm stem and riser bars with some sweep, and in combination they have the effect of quickening the handling to compensate for the slack head angle. It works fine.

If your frame number is KK18053, it is the 53rd size 18 they made after they changed the serial number format in 1998, so it is most likely a 98 frame but just possibly a 99. If you post some pictures, it may be possible to say which. You can get very authentic decals from Gil_M on this site, but best to establish the year first.