94 Kona HOT 18"

[NigelFinnighan]

Ok final update (I think)-

a few other problems I've had to overcome- the bar shim a sourced showed up to be not the right one, I don't know what happened there... So I made my own from a 1" steerer, a saw, a file, and a blue Sharpie = SOLVED. - I don't know if I mentioned if my "Dog Collar" was broken, but it was, cracked at the 12 o'clcock. And since you're reading this thread, you'll know these are IMPOSSIBLE to find (anyone have one in 31.8?). I thought I had sourced something I could make work... and it does... but not really. Whatever works for now until I can find a proper replacement.

I was also lucky to have had a buddy from across the country find me a Ti Syncros post in the right size. So I had to have that.

Ok so the build sheet-

Frame- ~1994 Kona HOT (TET 1522) in blue?
Fork- Kona Project Two 11/8 threaded - Colour matched to the frame
Stem- 94 Velocity stem
Crank- Raceface turbines (black)
Wheels- Mavic 217 in gold
Bars- Kona? Ti
Seatpost- Syncros Ti 27.0
Seat- Kona Race light Ti
Brakes- Onza H.O
Brake Levers- Kona
Tires- Michelin WildGrippers (black/black)
Hubs/RD/FD/Shifters- Shinamo XT m739

 

[NigelFinnighan]

ok I lied last time about it being the final update-

My wife and I rode to a coffee shop for coffee and waffles this morning, I took the Hot, she took her Vertex. This is really the first time taking this thing further than round the block, so I took some tools just in case, thankfully neither bike needed them! Success!


In hindsight, I probably should have put her's against the steel bike stand, I made sure the frame was safe (thankfully no wind here in this VERY windy city today).

I loved riding this bike so much that when we got home, I went back out. This is why I love this city...



On the way home it was finalized, this is the favourite of my current stable. and I'm going to be riding this one a lot.

 

[NigelFinnighan]

There's been a few updates to the Hot, not that I have pictures of. That's not the purpose of this post. I've had this nagging urge to re-paint this Hot, but I'm on the fence of whether I should or not, so I need some help.

My 94 Hot was ordered the same colour as the 94 Hahanna. I love the colour and it's in great shape, but I've also wanted to play around with a custom paint job with a fade, splatter, smoked or something, if i did it, I'd match the stem, a P2, and an appropriate suspension fork. and a Hot seems like a perfect opportunity. What are the thoughts on repainting an original Hot? I'm conflicted.

 

[enc]

There's been a few updates to the Hot, not that I have pictures of. That's not the purpose of this post. I've had this nagging urge to re-paint this Hot, but I'm on the fence of whether I should or not, so I need some help.

My 94 Hot was ordered the same colour as the 94 Hahanna. I love the colour and it's in great shape, but I've also wanted to play around with a custom paint job with a fade, splatter, smoked or something, if i did it, I'd match the stem, a P2, and an appropriate suspension fork. and a Hot seems like a perfect opportunity. What are the thoughts on repainting an original Hot? I'm conflicted.

Looking at the condition, I’d leave well alone.

 

[d8mok]

Agreed. If it’s original paint leave it alone.

Lookout for another that needs attention and do that one maybe?

 

[Spanky22b]

What about keep the original paint but do your own one off splatter,it's pretty easy to do.

 

[NigelFinnighan]

What about keep the original paint but do your own one off splatter,it's pretty easy to do.

this is interesting- I guess just mask off the decals, add splatter, then re-clear?

 

[Spanky22b]

this is interesting- I guess just mask off the decals, add splatter, then re-clear?

Splat over the decals 89/90 style that's what i done to my 90 Explosif tribute bike using a 93 Explosif

 

[romanrinos]

this is interesting- I guess just mask off the decals, add splatter, then re-clear?

I’d be of the opinion that with a lot of these one off production frames (Hots, Kus, Hei Heis) that you’re really only the custodian of them until the next owner. Even if you ride it into the ground through pure enjoyment.
Therefore, if the paint is original (like your Kona seat) respect it and keep it that way. It’s a fabulous frame.

I’d love to see this build with a P2 fork in its original 94’ contrasting colourway or a Mag21 with XT or XTR cranks.