1996 Kona Lava Dome - COMPLETE

[Nick C]

All finished, aside from a little tweaking.

The gears I thought would be a bitch to set up from scratch, but in fact were a doddle and presently run very smoothly. The brakes however were a PITA. The rear dog collar of course isn't designed for V-brake use, I've got it working, but will have to look at a long term replacement. The front should have been easy, but I forgot to remove the inner cable from the sleeve when I cut it down and that was my last cable...wahhhh! 24 mile round trip to the LBS just for cables, sheesh!

I took it around the block earlier and it sprints like a demon, I can't wait to get it on the trails.

Thanks to everyone at Retro who pointed me in the right direction and who very kindly allowed me to part with my money for the build. This place is very special...special needs? Thanks also to Steve who gave me the inspiration for this build. Oh and my brother for providing the donor bike!

Anyhoo, here are some photos taken this evening.

 

[magas]

superb

 

[Dead Rats]

taaaasty

 

[fingers]

Nice one

 

[mikesnowdon]

 

[Nick C]

Cheers chaps.

Next week I should receive a very nice pair of Marzocchi Z2s, it'll be interesting to see what she looks like with them hanging off the front.

 

[mikesnowdon]

So a bit of gold bling for this pimpmobile to come soon then?

I really like it man. On my next build I think I'll take a less is more approach on the colours too. The white decals work really well.

 

[Nick C]

Gold no, but if I use the red Marzocchi forks I may have to add a bit of red to the chain rings or possibly a pair of red jockey wheels? I'm painfully aware that once you start it's very easy to get carried away. Take a look at that old orange Lava Dome I had! :shock:

I liked the black/white colour scheme on Steve's Lava Dome the first time I saw his build, but I hope I've made this one different enough that it doesn't look like a straight copy?

I was very happy with the stickers. Thankfully I had just enough skill to play around with the proof in photoshop, it really helps if you can print out what you think may work prior to ordering them. The head logo I think looks great.

The original colour scheme is on the left:

 

[mikesnowdon]

I thought 96 Kona decals were originally grey rather than blue?

EDIT: Just checked. Its blue for 96 grey for 95.

 

[haggis]

Stunning looking bike. Love the white but............... Gripshift! Arrrghhh work of the devil that is!