Make it stop! Explosif

[al-onestare]

So what's that number then?

Something to do with the bb shell. Canuck has kindly explained what you should be looking out for Check the Kula to see what we mean .

 

[The History Man]

Re:

Risers going on. Woke up this morning with the back from hell.

Definitely a rat bike then. Rainage here so time for a bit of shed love.

 

[The History Man]

Re:

Bars, blocks fitted, had a gentle rub non drive side can just make out 1-2--36 could be numbers in front but nothing else legible.

 

[Canuck]

Re: Re:

Bars, blocks fitted, had a gentle rub non drive side can just make out 1-2--36 could be numbers in front but nothing else legible.

Look's like you have the right number there HM
Just need the first letter (likely "F") and following 3 digits to date accurately

 

[The History Man]

Thanks but I think the trail ends here. Nothing else visible. So what's your best informed opinion. I shall go with that.

Need anything else to help?

 

[Canuck]

Thanks but I think the trail ends here. Nothing else visible. So what's your best informed opinion. I shall go with that.

Need anything else to help?

My guess would be '92 or '93. We could narrow it down further but you'll have to get out the measuring tape. There is a considerable difference in the sizing between '92 & '93. Is the seat tube exactly 20" c-t? You'll also need the top tube length c-c and the headtube length.

However be prepared, if it turn's out to be a '93 it is unlikely an Explosif (and the lack of braze on rack mounts on the seat stays points towards '93)

 

[The History Man]

Ok, seat tube 19.5 c to t top tube 22.5 c to c head tube about 7.75 inches. No ribs or other features I can see.

 

[Canuck]

Ok, seat tube 19.5 c to t top tube 22.5 c to c head tube about 7.75 inches. No ribs or other features I can see.

Hmm...that's a real head scratcher

Your seat tube and top tube measurements would suggest a pre '93 19" frame but the headtube measurement is off the chart at almost 200mm.

Kona's were oddly measured pre '93. In '93 and on, a 19" frame would have a 19" seat tube, a 20" frame would have a 20" seat tube etc however before that this isn't the case (and I have yet to figure out how they did it).

In '92 a 16" frame had a seat tube of 17", a top tube of 20 3/4" and a head tube of 110mm. An 18" frame had a seat tube of 18 3/4", top tube of 21 3/4" and a head tube of 130mm. If we take this into consideration when trying to date/size your frame the seat tube and top tube measurements would suggest a 19" frame but the head tube would have a length of 150mm. Your's is a whopping 200mm (almost) and that's where I'm stumped. Kona shortened their headtubes from '93 on so I doubt it could be anything after '92

 

[The History Man]

Got the head tube completely wrong, included headset which is a funky wtb grease guard :facepalm:

150mm or 6 inches thereabouts

My bad. So your supposition says pre 93. I shall get some new decals

 

[Canuck]

Got the head tube completely wrong, included headset which is a funky wtb grease guard :facepalm:

150mm or 6 inches thereabouts

My bad.

Saboteur!!

I had my suspicions

'91 - '92 decals will do the job nicely