1997 Kona King Kahuna Hei Hei

[Matttymm]

Nice one Pip. Thanks for the message and for the information. That’s really helpful. I’m still no wiser why it was blue originally.

Unfortunately although it’s good the learn that the decals were original, they were later. Hope you’re not too put off on the way it’s heading. I’m still finding my feet and genuinely appreciate the inputs from everyone as daunting as it is.

A lot of emotional connection to this bike. I feel the weight of responsibility.

On an aside, I have changed my mind on the headset. Chris King is the way to go especially as I hadn’t twigged that it has “King” on the logo which would befit this fine frame.

 

[Matttymm]

PS - would love to see whatever pictures you feel happy to share. Could give me further inspiration.

 

[Magpiegifts]

Mate I'll be blunt as hell.fu*k the rest of them,u ain't building this to impress or plz the rb massive.It's for your pleasure alone. Some builds are perhaps best left off retrobike. Because of peoples opinions. That said,input is good except when it sways u away from what you really want .

 

[Matttymm]

Mate I'll be blunt as hell.fu*k the rest of them,u ain't building this to impress or plz the rb massive.It's for your pleasure alone. Some builds are perhaps best left off retrobike. Because of peoples opinions. That said,input is good except when it sways u away from what you really want .

LOL. Thanks Magpiegifts. Love your honesty.

You are right that it’s for me and part of the enjoyment is about learning so I do genuinely appreciate the comments and advice.

I do want to do this one right though given it’s history.

 

[Magpiegifts]

That being said, you are sharing your building experience on here for a reason? And the hei hei deserves a quality build done tastefully. But it's you who decide what taste is in this instance

 

[Magpiegifts]

Can't go wrong with Chris king. It will more than likely going on my hei hei when the time comes

 

[Matttymm]

That being said, you are sharing your building experience on here for a reason? And the hei hei deserves a quality build done tastefully. But it's you who decide what taste is in this instance

Yeah. I’m sharing it for the joy of recording what I’m doing and also to solicit people’s feedback and opinions. Seems to be working so far. !!!

I’ve the highest standard of tastes, but conversely not the deepest of pockets having outlaid on two bikes this month.

 

[Matttymm]

The joy of eBay.

 

[Pipmeister]

Nice one Pip. Thanks for the message and for the information. That’s really helpful. I’m still no wiser why it was blue originally.

As I mentioned in my post, the Blue Decals were also available alongside the Yellow Decals that feature in the 1997 Catalogue.

This is an extract from the reply that I received from Kona H.Q. when I wrote to them in 2009 just after receiving the frame:

"1997 for sure. All the published pictures show yellow decals but we had a colour option so you could also get blue ones.
Happy Trails!"

I would assume that you could choose either colour when ordering the frame.

PS - would love to see whatever pictures you feel happy to share. Could give me further inspiration.

Original from Drive Side:



Stripped of Decals, Pre-buff:



Buffed:



1997 Replica Decals:





Built c/w V's & 2005 Silver SIDs




Pip

 

[Magpiegifts]

Hey Pip the Kona looked gorgeous when it had been buffed up. Lovely. I think it looked absolutely lovely with 97 replica decals. Such a gorgeous bike. Interesting choice using the sram xo on the build with the RS S.I.D really cool look