My retro rebuild (with pics and stuff)

[unipsycho]

I'm currently in the process of modernising my 1991 Kona Cinder Cone with a mix of new and retro parts, to turn an old skool cross country hack into an retro light weight single track machine :thumbs:

The reason I didn't buy a new frame is because I really like the ride of this frame and I'd probably buy another steel frame anyway.:wack:

On the frame there was also surface rust starting to appear where a previous respray had gotten stone chips into it.

How she looked a few days ago

This morning I stripped her back to just the frame and started to sand off the land rover green paint and now she looks like this.

A few more hours on the frame sanding and she should be paint free. I'm going to restore each of the components individually and those which I'm not going to use are going to be flogged off on fleabay to raise funds for the new and retro parts I need to finish the job.

 

[john]

Look forward to seeing the final results.

Nothing more rewarding than doing it all yourself

 

[rody]

right on! What is that I hear???? Possibly new life being breathed into an old love...yeah!

Always enjoy following a project...have fun.

rody

 

[gump]

nice! A good project.

Bit late now, but nitromors paint stripper is fantastic. Would have only needed a quick rub down afertwards.

Not sure if you planned to, but might be easier if you took the headset out too. Really easy with a big screwdriver and mallet, just gently work round the inside of the race, bit at a time. Have done all mine like this, but now use a threaded bar and plates instead of wood/mallet to refit.
People will prolly scream at me, but I never have problems. :roll:

What colour is it gonna be? Painting yourself?

 

[unipsycho]

Thanks for the comments guys.

This is the second complete rebuild i've done on this frame, the first time I was working for an engneering company and they had a small sand blaster which was perfect for getting the paint off, I'm a big fan of puuting some hard graft in to get a better result hence the reason i'm using sand paper

The head set will be coming out this morning

I was thinking of doing the frame primer grey and sorcing some 91 or 92 kona stickers for it, also i think the colour would go well with my pace forks.

 

[unipsycho]

Aww Crap!!

I've broken my right hand XT thumbshifter. :cry:

I'd taken it apart to give it a service and when putting it back together I over tightened the screws and it popped apart :cry:

 

[jez-4-bikes-max]

AWW nooooo!

 

[unipsycho]

AWW nooooo!

I'm so gutted, they are my favorite part of my bike :cry:

 

[unipsycho]

Update!

I've now given the frame it's first coat of paint.

I've been looking into mounting a disc brake on the rear, as far as I can see I have two options open to me, await a bolt on kit from ebay to appear, or taking it to a local metal work place for them to make up and weld me a bracket onto the frame. I'm swaying towards the local metal work place.
I'm also planning to remove the old brake bosses also.

Not sure what you guys think of this :? Feedback always apriciated

 

[Elmo]

Hi,really like the rear disk/canti less idea.I`ve seen a few frames converted like this and they braze in an extra tube between the chain stay and seat stay to make a triangle (about 4-5") to take the extra braking force.
Aother tip....DONT GET THE FIXING PLATE ARC OR MIG WELDED ON.
ARC and MIG welding cause far to much heat over a large area and will probably wreck the frame.
Get the plate TIG welded or brazed on,but one of the forums frame builders will be better qualified to help you.
I, also think you may have got the year wrong,with your top rack mounts fitted into the seat stays I think your frame is 1993 onwards (prior to this they were brazed on the outside of the stays.
Keep us informed on the build.

OLD KONAS RULE