Dating a Kona Kilauea

[Troy74]

Hi guys
New to the forum but have been a Kona owner for years ! Bikes I've owned include a 2006 Kona Blast, a 2005 Kona Fire Mountain and two Kona Sutras from 2014 and 2018.

I recently picked up an old Kona Kilauea and the serial number is F3092218 - couldn't find any info at the Kona website about dating this bike - can you help ? I believe it's early to mid 90's ?

Thanks
Troy

 

[Magpiegifts]

Welcome. You will find plenty of love and appreciation for Konas here
A photo of the bike will help with dating it as well

 

[Troy74]

Thanks for the quick reply ! I apologise for the clutter in these pics but hopefully one can make out details

 

[Magpiegifts]

@swannymere check out the seatpost.

 

[Magpiegifts]

Decals look like 94

 

[Imlach]

Ye 94

 

[Troy74]

Thanks for the info !! Appreciated!

 

[oldave]

If it's a '94 would there not be a "4" somewhere towards the beginning of the frame number? My 97 Kileaua has a 7, my 96 Fire Mountain a 6 and 98 Manomano a 7 i.e. frame built ready for 98 model year.

 

[fattiman]

Looks like a resprayed/powder coated 93 Kilauea/or other to me. The 94 Kilauea was a different shade of grey and also had silver dog collar and seat clamp.
The silver on this looks too metallic to be an original 94. The frame number bearing a 3 at the beginning would also make sense here. Drop-outs are certainly 94 onwards though. In conclusion I would say very early 94 with some 93 parts used.

 

[benjabbi]

I'd say it's 94, with the exception of the uprated forks/stem/headset, shifters/brakes and tyres, the rest is original 94 spec down to the odd 230 front 231 rear rims. It looks the right colour to me and the serial number points to September 93 build which would be into 94 model production.