Kona 92 What?

[njgoldby]

Have just checked the tubes with a caliper.
Front to back:
29.9W x 33.9H - 28.8W x 31.2H - 27.6W x 29.7H mm

It both tapers and is oval, does that make it Prestige concept tubing?

 

[Kona Paul]

My 92 Explosif doesn't have the braze-ons on the chainstays just below the seat tube. Only the ones over the drop-outs.

Unless of course it's actually a 91 or 93. The 92 has the braze-ons pictured, whereas the 91 and 93 do not. I don't think the 93 was sold in the black option though, and mine is black. It also has a 1 1/8" headtube, and unusual decals for the German market, so it may have had other differences too. It was listed as a 92, but if anyone has any other ideas they are welcome to write them.

 

[njgoldby]

From all your comments and suggestions. It seems to me that things changed throughout the year of production. Meaning that you do get subtle differences in appearance.
With a bit of experience in production I know this to be true as Suppliers of components and manufacturing techniques and machinery are changed. With this in mind I think the best we can hope to do is gather as much evidence as possible and take an educated guess at some frames origins.
This is by far and away the best online resource of information on retro bikes. The response to my post has been very helpful. I hope in the future I can help others.

Cheers

 

[development_cycle]

I have a confession to make as well. It doesn't look quite that way anymore.

So? Let's see it then

 

[njgoldby]

Oh go on then. No laughing at the comedy rear brake routing it was a temporary so I could ride in the sun.

 

[DM]

Looks good.

Any ideas at all on the original paint? It wasn't bright red, by any chance...?
Cos it reminds me of my red 1992 Cinder Cone:

Separate seat collar; Very thin "pingy" tubing including butted rear stays; ovalised seat tube at the BB etc.; Same seatstay rack mounts; The welding on mine is not "boutique", either.

Actually, I'm not sure if the Cindy has ovalised top-tube and down-tubes.
Ah well - as you were.

 

[development_cycle]

well buddy i have to say, sod working out what model it is, she looks fab, even without decals, or maybe especially without decals! Loving the white. I'm so tempted to go white...

 

[MikeD]

Very pretty. And to echo what Anthony said, at 4.2lb it pretty much has to be an Explosif.

 

[Anthony]

Have just checked the tubes with a caliper.
Front to back: 29.9W x 33.9H - 28.8W x 31.2H - 27.6W x 29.7H mm
It both tapers and is oval, does that make it Prestige concept tubing?

Yes, those are exactly the dimensions of Tange Prestige Concept, which in conjunction with the serial number means that it is an Explosif, and I believe from the other details that it is a 92 model.

The only problem with painting it white is that it would be much enhanced by some authentic decals, but unfortunately the 92 decals were white!

 

[njgoldby]

Ha you spotted my dilema. 92/93 decals on white. I had seen a nice Lava Dome which looked ok. Or go for the later 94 decals.

I was thinking of altering the colour of the decals to suit.

Oh who cares. I love looking at it, and it rides like a dream.