Kona Kula Identification

[Paulbear17]

Hi All
I recently bought my Kona Kula.
I was told it was Scandium.
I want to check this.
It weighs in around 1.4 kilo.
Is there any experts on Kona frame numbers on here before I contact Kona.
Thanks for the help in advance,

 

[Paulbear17]

Re:

A412 - U
BI - 1252

5I - 86D

F412K0566
Are the frame numbers across the BB

 

[Pipmeister]

Re: Re:

A412 - U
BI - 1252

5I - 86D

F412K0566
Are the frame numbers across the BB

The frame number indicates that it was fabricated in the Fairly factory in December 2004, so is likely be a 2005 model. The question therefore belongs in the post 1998 section

I believe the Kula at that time was made from Easton Ultralite Race tubing. Around that time, only the Kula Primo (later called Supreme) used Scandium tubing.

Some pictures would help identify your frame; if you are having difficulty uploading pictures onto your post, may I suggest that you add a link to a picture host, or better still insert the image with an IMG code.

Pip.

 

[Paulbear17]

Re:

Thanks for the reply.
I have no idea how to upload pictures.
It just says the file is too big..

 

[Pipmeister]

Re:

Well there is a bit more detective work to be done here.

The decals are replica 1995 - apart from the colour. The Kula that year was a metallic green with sort of gold decals. Your frame colour and decals are reminiscent of the 1995 Kilauea.

I would still go with my first guess that your frame is a 2005 model - judging by the dropouts and the lack of V-brake bosses.

During the noughties, the brake bosses went away, and then returned on some models, although I think this may have only been on the Primo / Supreme models?

If you give the frame a measure from the centre of the Bottom Bracket to the top of the seat tube, then we may be able to identify the frame’s material from the weight that you quoted. For reference, my 2003 18” Kula Primo Scandium frame weighs 1,350 grams. My 2001 18” Kula Easton Ultralite weighs 1,670 grams.

Here are some of the pictures that you sent me for other members to have a go at identifying further, although this does really belong in the post 1998 section.

Pip

 

[Paulbear17]

Re:

The person I bought it off said it had been resprayed and those decals added.
I've sent him a message for more details.
He stated it was Easton tubing
I've also sent the stuff off to Kona.
It's 19 inch from centre bb to top.
It's weighs 1.6 Kilo give or take.
Looking on Klassic Kona it looks like a 2005 Delixe ?

 

[Pipmeister]

Re:

Yes it has indeed been re-painted; sorry that I didn’t make that clearer in my reply. I merely made reference to the 1995 Kilauea as it seems that this was the “appearance” that was intended by the choice of colour and decals.

At 1.6 kg for a 19” inch frame, it is looking more likely to be Easton Ultralite Race tubing, which was used on the Kula and Kula Deluxe – they were identical frames with a different paint job, while the Deluxe had a slightly higher spec.

As for yours being Scandium, it now looks unlikely. Kona did use Easton Scandium 7000 tubing when they first introduced it in 2000 (originally on the Explosif, then Kula Primo), but by about 2006 this changed to a generic Kona Scandium Tubeset used on the Kula Supreme. I don’t know who produced this later Tubeset.

Pip

 

[Paulbear17]

Re:

To be honest.
As a massive Kona fan who's had a few.
As long as it's a Kula, Easton tubing is fine.
Looking at the dropouts and the narrowing seat tube, I'm pretty happy it's a Kula.
The Email from Kona should hopefully confirm that eventually.