198? KHS question

[Proto2000]

This one popped up a few days ago so I picked it as a whole bike, now torn down for the usual rebuild I do on all bikes I get. I'm not sure of the year and have only seen one other on the net with the down tube gusset and full tig welded, claimed to be 1984. The fork is not the biplane job like on the Montana's and it has roller cam brakes front/rear. The bike is full Suntour less the Tange headset, Sugino LP cranks and Shimano pedals. Frame is 20.5" C-C so way too big for me, the price of $40 is why I bought it. Owner said he bought it new in Arizona but did not say what year as he could not remember, he is older than me so I get it. most of the decals are gone or partially there so unable to ID it. Paint looks good as well and should shine nice when I get it buffed out. Any clue to what frame and year this could be? The fork has a 0.833 slingshot quill stem that must be original to the bike, same size as my 84 Fat Chance.

 

[27motorhead]

Very cool find. Bargain too. Shame it’s too big…

 

[Proto2000]

After cleaning up some parts over the last couple of days, I was surprised to see how good everything looks. I have not gotten to the wheels yet and the original seat post is a chrome steel one so I will try to find a suitable replacement. Thinking of more road oriented tires like a Townie and I will leave the freewheel as is, road suitable as well. Here is one for ya, keep the reflectors and pie plate of rip that junk off?

 

[Proto2000]

I have everything done on the bike as purchased. Even the seat post and original saddle. After cleaning up those, I thought they should stay with the bike. Looking dapper in it's mid level attire to include the saddle which I did not know was original, faint KHS logo's on there. Tires are Mythos jobbers that are place holders for now as the ones that were on the bike were falling apart. Chain is not installed yet, need to source a replacement.

 

[TreaderSteve]

Excellent! Looks really cool. I'd have snapped that up if I saw it here in the UK - a good size too! Personally I never knew KHS went back so far to the earlier era of MTB manufacture

 

[27motorhead]

Thanks for more photos. LOVE more photos!

Those grips are super cool. What brand are the brake levers? Those rubber covers still look like they are in good nick. Is the body and lever resin?

I'd leave the reflectors and pie plate (we called them dork discs!) on as they look to be in good nick. Normally these plastic bits get super damaged by the suns UV rays and discolour and become super brittle.

Amazing bike, love these early clunky/functionally looking machine with super cool details and components. Will you move this on as it's too big?

 

[wesmamyke]

Brakes look like they might still have the rollers that tend to fail. You can still find the brass replacements pretty cheap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/167213158374

 

[CTK]

Super cool bike