1996 Kona Hei Hei/King Kahuna serial numbers?

[Stu Wiltshire]

So I've literally spent days googling and reading many different forums but I'm still not 100%.
Is there any frame difference between the 1996 hei hei and the 1996 hei hei King kahuna?
So far I've got this much information.
The serial number starts with either a "B", "K", "KH" and a "KK"
Followed by the size then the I believe assembly nmber?
1996 hei hei "B####64" (the 64 at the end is the Ti 6-4 rear triangle)
1996 hei hei King kahuna "B####64"
1997 hei hei "B#####"
1997 hei hei King kahuna "K#####"
1998 hei hei "KH#####"
1998 hei hei King kahuna "KK#####"

Can anyone shed some light on all of this and if I'm correct and how to tell the difference between the two 1996 hei hei and King kahuna.

Many thanks stu

 

[Volker]

I have a Hei Hei King Kahuna with "K 19005" which should be a very early 1997 (originally equipped with a lot of early 1996 Shimano xtr parts). Repro-Decals are not 'final'

 

[al-onestare]

Hiya, do you have a pic of the SN?

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/kona-titanium-serial-number-list-list-updated-06-11-22.446735/

 

[Volker]

Great list! Was not aware of it before!!

Will send the SN later. - the bike is in my little mtb museum.

Since most of the Shimano parts are from 02/1996 - could it be possible that Kona started with production in (mid of) 1996?

 

[Volker]

SN KK 1997

 

[al-onestare]

Great list! Was not aware of it before!!

Will send the SN later. - the bike is in my little mtb museum.

Since most of the Shimano parts are from 02/1996 - could it be possible that Kona started with production in (mid of) 1996?

Yes, that's pretty normal considering the launch cycle that runs from autumn to autumn e.g. for 1997 range production, summer/early autumn 1996 initially, then throughout to around no later than late spring 1997.