1993 Kona Hei Hei - just brought home!

[delronious]

A big thanks to mfhxgram and chouca for the guidance on purchasing the Kona! I have always wanted one of these and when one popped up on my local classifieds, I had to jump on it!

I believe it is a 1993 but not sure if the decals are orginal. It has 8spd XT and a Manitou three front fork which seems toast.

Any tips on an appropriate and reasonably attainable replacement? Would it be worth rebuilding the manitou?

 

[r32]

Yup that fork's completely knackered.

 

[chouca]

Nice one! Lovely frame! Definitely pre '94 it still has the "old" style rear drop outs.

A Marzocchi XC500 or better a Mag21 fork would be perfect!

 

[Godwin_Austen]

Re:

If you're interested there's a Marzocchi XC600 going on ebay at the moment (not mine!) - you'd need to check the steerer length obviously, and put on some new decals which Gil_M can probably sort for you, but could look rather splendid...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marzocchi-XC- ... 1e9a9aa354

A few posts down this thread is the 1994 hei hei with marzocchi forks:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89577

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

Those forks might just need new elastomers, and suit the bike really well IMO.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

Nice buy!

As above, that Manitou is just a simple elastomer fork, and the elastomers have probably just broken down and crumbled into dust over time. You can get new elastomers for it fairly easily, and probably cheaper than a replacement fork, once fitted the fork should be good as new.

 

[al-onestare]

The placement of the Hei Hei decal would indicate it's a reproduction as the names don't usually start / end that close to the head-tube. Still, a brilliant frame. For the real pursuit a set of Ti P2's would look PROPER good. Whatever the fork just make sure it doesn't go over 60mm travel otherwise it'll screw with the ride.

 

[24pouces]

Re:

With those dropouts and rear cable hanger, it's a first generation 1992 Sandvik made

 

[delronious]

Re:

If you're interested there's a Marzocchi XC600 going on ebay at the moment (not mine!) - you'd need to check the steerer length obviously, and put on some new decals which Gil_M can probably sort for you, but could look rather splendid...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marzocchi-XC- ... 1e9a9aa354

A few posts down this thread is the 1994 hei hei with marzocchi forks:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89577

Those forks do look good on the hei hei. In fact, I have a set of XC600 sitting on the shelf in 1" that needs new seals. Apparently these seals are no longer made, does anyone have a source for them? How does a XC R compare to the XC600?

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

 

[Ollie]

Nice .