Help identify my Kona please

Hi again, I have unearthed a serial number after much sanding!!
H6H0 4957. Any ideas? Thanks

H is Hodaka built, 6 means 1996 production, 04 April. So at the end of the 1995/1996 production run, therefore a 1995 model.

That lines up with the lack of top tube cable stop near the seat-tube.

There were no grey models that production year, so I'll say that's the primer you've uncovered.

Unless you get the angle measuring devices and calipers out, it'll be hard to pin-point the exact model.

We can safely say it isn't a Hot and there's no main-tube ovalisation I can see, so it's not an Explosif.

If you can, check the inside of the head-tube for signs of original over-spray.
 
Al is correct with the interpretation of the S/N except I think April '96 would make it a '96 model as each new year's production begins in the Autumn of the previous year ('95 in this case) and ends some time before the next year begins the following Autumn.

So it can't be an Explosif for the reasons Al mentioned, but anything below that would be possible based on what we can see. Frame weight will probably still be the best way to narrow it down further. If it was a Kilauea (with Columbus Cyber tubes) for example it would be significantly lighter than the bikes below it in the range.

The catalogue may help further (although the weights mentioned tend to be a bit optimistic!) as a guide.
 
@al-onestare has beaten me to it, but I can add some extra info.
The 6 does indicate 1996, but I don't think 04 is April. Hodaka use the second letter to indicate month, the H being July.

My list is by no means complete but I have a Lava Dome, Fire Mountain and three Explosifs recorded for 1996 in steel.

You are spot on, I forgot it's letters not numbers for months. July would actually put it in the 1996 production model run, not 1995.
 
Amazing info, thanks, I think I'll strip it down and repaint it so may as well weigh it while I'm at it. It's strange about the colour as the grey is glossy and is under the decals? As well, many thanks
 
Back
Top