Godwin_Austen
Retro Guru
Re: [Pics!] Help me identify mystery Kona Explosif...
If that's true then it was a £50 well spent :xmas-big-grin:
If that's true then it was a £50 well spent :xmas-big-grin:
[Now with proper pics] Identify mystery Kona Explosif...
- Thread starter Godwin_Austen
- Start date
Godwin_Austen
Retro Guru
Re: [Pics!] Help me identify mystery Kona Explosif...
Now then. Finally got this one home, examined it properly and took a few pictures.
The paintwork is in surprisingly good nick - a few scratches here and there as you would expect from a frame of this age but not bad at all, virtually no chainsuck marks, and the original owner clearly took care of it judging by the incredibly neat black tape that has been strategically placed to protect the frame from cable rub. A few rusts spots in the scratches that can be sorted out easily enough. Dent and crack free.
The frame number is indeed F311372 if I've read it right. Paintwork is (I think) very very dark blue - but in some light it appears black. The canti hanger is very tidy and is 'looped' rather than the straight hanger stays on my 97 Hahanna singlespeed. There are indeed three cable stops on the top tube, slight offset to the right (some cable ends still in there I will need to tap out), and the cable stop on the seat tube is nicely angled to avoid kinking the cable. The down tube does seem to be fluted - hopefully this comes out in the pics - and the seat tube morphs into a smoothed box section by the bottom bracket. There doesn't seem to be any ovalising of the top tube.
Hopefully you will find the pics useful - not great light in my kitchen and only on an iphone, but better than before I hope. Had to reduce size to upload them, so apologies if they've come out too small (still working this out)!
Now then. Finally got this one home, examined it properly and took a few pictures.
The paintwork is in surprisingly good nick - a few scratches here and there as you would expect from a frame of this age but not bad at all, virtually no chainsuck marks, and the original owner clearly took care of it judging by the incredibly neat black tape that has been strategically placed to protect the frame from cable rub. A few rusts spots in the scratches that can be sorted out easily enough. Dent and crack free.
The frame number is indeed F311372 if I've read it right. Paintwork is (I think) very very dark blue - but in some light it appears black. The canti hanger is very tidy and is 'looped' rather than the straight hanger stays on my 97 Hahanna singlespeed. There are indeed three cable stops on the top tube, slight offset to the right (some cable ends still in there I will need to tap out), and the cable stop on the seat tube is nicely angled to avoid kinking the cable. The down tube does seem to be fluted - hopefully this comes out in the pics - and the seat tube morphs into a smoothed box section by the bottom bracket. There doesn't seem to be any ovalising of the top tube.
Hopefully you will find the pics useful - not great light in my kitchen and only on an iphone, but better than before I hope. Had to reduce size to upload them, so apologies if they've come out too small (still working this out)!
Attachments
Well I'm stumped :?
Fluted down tube says '93 doesnt it?
Decals are 94, the correct decals for the fluted down tube have lines through them so they sit correctly on the fluting.
Id say its been repainted in its life as it should be grey front fade to bluey-black at the rear iirc!
Decals are 94, the correct decals for the fluted down tube have lines through them so they sit correctly on the fluting.
Id say its been repainted in its life as it should be grey front fade to bluey-black at the rear iirc!
Godwin_Austen
Retro Guru
Thanks all for your help identifying this one. I think you're probably right that this is a 1994 model with some aftermarket changes to the cable guides. I have to say the frame work is top notch and has been done extremely well. Rather pleased as it means it is unique yet I don't have to worry too much about protecting the original paint job. Plus if I'm honest it corrects the two design flaws with frames of this era - downtube cabling where they were exposed to mud from front wheel, and the use of the dog collar which was always a bit of a bodge IMHO [runs and hides].
Right, so I guess this thread turns into a build thread. I need to assemble parts so it might take a bit of time. It's going to be a period build but not original spec. Thoughts and ideas welcome:
Frame: could go for original light pale green metallic, or as this is already unique perhaps go for a platinum colour, or dark metallic blue? a 1994 decal kit will be reapplied.
Forks: could keep the P2s on (with control center headset), but also have some nice RC30s (sans decals) which would allow me to run aheadset (Chris king?)...
Groupset: have some XT thumbies, searching out some M900 rear and front mechs, and considering either M900 chainset or possibly a Middleburn set depending on what I can find / realistically afford...
Brakes: have some M900 cantis (got to with that canti bridge!), looking at Ritchey Logic levers (unless anyone can suggest another good canti lever)
Wheels: have some M232s on DX hubs (these are pretty mint so can't justify looking for some M900), also have one M231 on a blue ti hope hub I might consider for the front (which would then prob require a v small smattering of blue bolts elsewhere to match). will probably fit 1.8 splashbacks...
Other bits: have a VGC race lite bar in post, have a VGC silver ringle quill stem or a 1995 velocity (if using RC30s then need to think again as aheadset...), have a 1994 USE silver seatpost, and a reissued 1990 flite. No idea on grips...
Will probably cable the whole thing up with titanium coloured jagwires.
Thoughts gratefully received...
Right, so I guess this thread turns into a build thread. I need to assemble parts so it might take a bit of time. It's going to be a period build but not original spec. Thoughts and ideas welcome:
Frame: could go for original light pale green metallic, or as this is already unique perhaps go for a platinum colour, or dark metallic blue? a 1994 decal kit will be reapplied.
Forks: could keep the P2s on (with control center headset), but also have some nice RC30s (sans decals) which would allow me to run aheadset (Chris king?)...
Groupset: have some XT thumbies, searching out some M900 rear and front mechs, and considering either M900 chainset or possibly a Middleburn set depending on what I can find / realistically afford...
Brakes: have some M900 cantis (got to with that canti bridge!), looking at Ritchey Logic levers (unless anyone can suggest another good canti lever)
Wheels: have some M232s on DX hubs (these are pretty mint so can't justify looking for some M900), also have one M231 on a blue ti hope hub I might consider for the front (which would then prob require a v small smattering of blue bolts elsewhere to match). will probably fit 1.8 splashbacks...
Other bits: have a VGC race lite bar in post, have a VGC silver ringle quill stem or a 1995 velocity (if using RC30s then need to think again as aheadset...), have a 1994 USE silver seatpost, and a reissued 1990 flite. No idea on grips...
Will probably cable the whole thing up with titanium coloured jagwires.
Thoughts gratefully received...
Godwin_Austen":x4umx75p said:
Dog collar yes - but remember these were the days of canti's. V's got rid of that. The down-tube cabling I've never had a problem with
Interesting frame nevertheless. Is the paint in poor condition?
dirttorpedo
Senior Retro Guru
Nice. Personally, I love the current colour scheme.
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