1994 Kona Fire Mountain restoration project.

[Relliott6879]

A few months ago I bought a 1994 Kona Fire Mountain when it came up for sale local to me and at a very reasonable price. The bike itself was in a pretty tired condition to say the least, but I didn't mind as it was so cheap and all I actually wanted was the frame and fork. The plan is to have these professionally refurbished and then build the bike up with the 730/732 era XT kit that I've been slowly amassing over the last few years.

I had a bit of spare time tonight so, as I've booked an appointment with Argos Cycles in August, I began stripping the bike down.


The patient on the operating table.

Chain was scrap, rusted virtually solid.

STX mechs look like they'll clean up OK. I've no need for them, so they'll probably get karma gifted to someone.

Alivio cranks looked to be in decent condition...

...but then this happened.

The thread in the drive-side arm is completely stripped, so that's going to be a trip to a bike shop I think. I could just try bludgeoning it off with a big hammer as the crank is scrap anyway, but I don't want to risk damaging the frame.

 

[Relliott6879]

Cleaning up the bottom bracket shell, I've found three separate numbers stamped into it. Do we have any resident Kona experts who can shed any light on these?

 

[Dare]

I just hope you will chose this color again as it really suits the bike?

Good luck with it

 

[mamadirt]

Yep that colour scheme is pretty cool - always liked the '94 decals too

 

[Relliott6879]

I am indeed going for the same colour, as the deep metallic shine is lovely. The only change will be to gold forks and stem, as per the 1994 catalogue. I've no hangups about it being the 'correct' colour, as the build will not be even close to original spec, I just prefer the colour. I've already got a new set of decals from Gil waiting to go on, so they will be given to Argos with the frame as I want clear lacquer over the top of them.

Interestingly, I've emailed Kona (joe@konaworld.com) to try and get a little history on the frame and they have no idea why the forks and stem are silver (they actually said 'gray'), surmising that they must be aftermarket. A quick Google Images search, however, shows up quite a few '94 Fire Mountains in exactly the same colour scheme as mine, leading me to think the gold forks must have been for the US market and the silver for UK/Europe. Curious.

Kona weren't able to shed any light on the frame number, beyond "The number that starts with F is your serial number, the others are just numbers."

 

[RockiMtn]

another posted! someone else posted one a few days ago.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=351108

and here's the one i had bought for my sis that got stolen.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=63864

really glad to hear you're keeping that candy apple red colour!

registering for updates!

 

[Si_33]

That's a lovely colour - really suits it.

 

[al-onestare]

Re:

The SN is the one starting with F, in this case Fairly works. 3 means 1993.

 

[Relliott6879]

Dropped the frame off this morning at Bikepost in Troon. The crank wouldn't come off even using a three-arm puller, so it's properly stuck on there. Mark's going to get medieval with hacksaws and grinders and let me know when it's ready...

 

[normanatkinson28]

Good Luc,k I have a explosif 1992 of to get re-sprayed this week, black close to original spec I have got a new head set XT new seat clamp new bolts ,decals from Gil new saddel,the forks will be re-sprayed black and the handel bars and the horse shoe,all the rest are ok all most mint cranks are DX all most mint.
littlenorm