1999 Kona King Kikapu

[Buzzsaw]

Spotted this going for a good price price and couldn’t really resist. The frame was in good nick apart from a miss match of the running components from original factory spec but I had quite a few bits in the shed to bring it to life.
I swapped out the Z3 Light Bomber forks which it came with but were abit shot even after a change of oil and new seals for some Z5 air/oil forks which I already had. Although a lower model I like the feel of them. Cranks changed to some Raceface ones with a 42/32/22 combo and XTR m952 rear derailleur and eventually will change the front mech to XTR from it’s current LX one. Wheels are Mavic 238 on Shimano XT/LX hubs. Avid V brakes swapped out for some Magura HS 11 hydraulic rim brakes from a broken Kona Kula I had lying about. Other changes include a Titec seatpost and a different colour combo SDG saddle, swap from 9 speed cassette to 8 speed shifters on a 11-34 cassette combo. Remainder of parts as original with Kona handlebars and stem.
Wasn’t particularly a fan of the earlier Kona fully suspended cross country bikes but after taking this one for a ride it’s absolutely so much fun and great handling on gnarly terrain and climbs just as well. Even from the late nineties Kona had it sorted!

 

[W7Ford]

Very nice, I've got frame envy there, always wanted a '99 model.

 

[eshew]

Nice! Looks I think Risse Racing still sells seals for those old fix rear shocks.

 

[Buzzsaw]

Nice! Looks I think Risse Racing still sells seals for those old fix rear shocks.

Thanks - I’ve got a seal kit coming from UK for the rear shock - probably needs a refresh as the shock leaves a dirty grease mark down the shock body as compresses but still holds air. Bit of a learning curve doing the fork refurbishment already plus worked out how to bleed Magura rim brakes for the first time. Part of the fun!

 

[eshew]

Nice work on the maguras! Yep oily ring = new seal time... Question regarding the Z3, was the rebound oddly slow for you? I've ran across a few, mine and a friend's kids Z3 on his MokoMoko... I can rebuild Marzocchi's in my sleep but both z3's had insanely slow rebound after using the same oil I've always used in many high end Marzocchi's...

 

[Buzzsaw]

Nice work on the maguras! Yep oily ring = new seal time... Question regarding the Z3, was the rebound oddly slow for you? I've ran across a few, mine and a friend's kids Z3 on his MokoMoko... I can rebuild Marzocchi's in my sleep but both z3's had insanely slow rebound after using the same oil I've always used in many high end Marzocchi's...

Yip. Exactly the same Z3 issue with slow rebound after rebuild. The fork had obviously not been well maintained before as the fork fluid was very mucky and low in level. Even with a through clean with degreaser and iso alcohol and parts checked for wear and then filled up with correct type and level of oil it still had sluggish rebound. Some people say use a lighter weight oil like 5w compared to the recommended 7.5w which might help. Otherwise the the springs might be shot or need heavier ones - don’t think the adjustment damping knobs make a difference. Don’t know if it is just the characteristics of this model as all my other Marzocchi forks work fine.

 

[W7Ford]

How's this one going? I managed to pickup a frame recently. It's not going to be much of purist build but the red forks and turbine cranks will have to be included, they just look right!

 

[Lacuna]

My '98 Z3's have leaked since day 1. I ran them on ATF for most of their life, which eliminated any potential slow rebound issues. No damping at all really!

 

[Buzzsaw]

How's this one going? I managed to pickup a frame recently. It's not going to be much of purist build but the red forks and turbine cranks will have to be included, they just look right!

Good score - I’ll think you’ll like the ride of bike. Currently the Kikapu is my go to bike when I go for a ride. The air shocks on both ends especially with the Bomber Z5 forks (considering it was the lowest in their model range) is easily tuneable and copes with most conditions. It even climbs really well for a fully suspended bike from the late 90s.
Also recently got hold of the previous years model of the Kona King Kikapu with a slightly different take of it’s rear suspension even though it looks similar. It’s going to be a project for the next month or two.
Good luck on with your build.

 

[W7Ford]

Thanks, it'd be nice to see the '98 one again once it's built up. I have a very unoriginal U-HU as well, its lesser specced brother.