1996 Kona Lava Dome - COMPLETE

[Nick C]

I finally got around to buying a crank removal tool and a BB spline tool this weekend and finished stripping down the frame.

I took the frame, stem and forks to the powder coaters today, but the lady that took them from me didn't fill me with confidence and I've stressed that if at any point things are not looking right, they must stop straight away. No doubt I'm worrying too much, but I have fingers and toes crossed.

So now the wait...

 

[raymondluxuryyacht]

Fingers crossed! Hope it turns out fine.

 

[Nick C]

Thanks, my worry is they are stripping the frame using grit blasting and I'm worried that it will mark it too much for a smooth finish.

 

[raymondluxuryyacht]

Hopefully being a steel Kona will make it quite hard to damage with grit blasting...unless they are really ham-fisted.

 

[Nick C]

I'd have thought the same, but the lady I spoke with when I dropped off the frame filled me with doubt.

 

[raymondluxuryyacht]

Perhaps they are "managing expectations" or have had bikes of lesser material turn out bad. Grit blasting is more vicious than bead or sand blasting but I've only heard of bad jobs with cars where the large size and thin metal of panels can cause dimples and bends.

 

[Nick C]

I think bikes are new to them to be honest, I'll just have to wait and see.

My stickers arrived today thanks to Gil, what a legend. I altered the colour scheme because I didn't feel the blue and grey would be beneficial to the build.

 

[Nick C]

Just a thought, when stickers are applied to a powder coated frame, do you folks then get everything lacquered to protect the stickers (and the frame)?

Edit: it's just been explained to me that Gil's stickers are very hard wearing and it's easier to replace a worn sticker that's above lacquer coat than one that's been scuffed through the lacquer. Words of wisdom for sure!

 

[majoreyeswater]

Hi there Nick. How's the Lava Dome going ? Not seen a post for a while so hope all is tickety-boo

Steve.

 

[Nick C]

Hi Steve.

I'm still waiting for the frame to be sprayed. The forks and stem are coated and the frame was supposed to be finished last week...and now this week. If it's not finished by tomorrow I'll be collecting it back unfinished and sending it elsewhere.

The fellow I initially spoke with on the phone seemed like a decent guy and is also the chap who sprays everything for the business, however since then I've not been able to get past the surly lady who answers the phone and who is the least helpful person I've had the misfortune to deal with in a long time.

Watch this 'empty' space...