KONA EXPLOSIF REYNOLDS 853 - TO RE-PAINT OR RE-TOUCH - HELP!

[shaun]

As a newbie virgin Retro Biker, this is my first post on this site. I have followed the site for a while now, and from the advice decided on a KONA EXPLOSIF 853 REYNOLDS 18 inch to fully re-store and rebuild.

I would welcome any comments and advise on what to do with this frame. It been well used and has many scrapes and chips especially the rear stays. Luckily its dent free and straight. I have weighed it and its just under 4.5lbs, not bad for a steel frame.

To re-spray with new decals in standard colours at Bob Jacksons, to re-spray in a custom colour or just to carefully re-touch up the bad bits - I just cannot decide!

 

[magas]

leave it as it is, just touch up the bad bits and gave the frame a good clean.
put on some nice parts with the money you saved when not having it repainted

 

[Explosif27]

853 Explosif`s, Lovely ive got 3 in pieces at the moment.

did you see the argos restored frame on ebay the other day?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

Ive got another 18" similar to yours that im considering having painted and a 16" that has been powder coated

great frames

i really want a 17" then i can get rid of the others

 

[shaun]

Yes, I saw the restored Explosif on Ebay and then wondered why the owner had gone to all that trouble and expense to re-sell it on. I was 100% going to repaint mine until I saw that one for sale and then it got me thinking if the repaint had put the previous owner off as he felt that the bike had 'lost something'. What do you think?

 

[Faghetaboutit]

Keep it real and ride it hard, that's what these 853 konas are all about. I've had frames restored and I think they do lose a certain 'something'

Looks great by the way

 

[Explosif27]

Well, im the new owner

and it is clean but the colour is slightly off from any other explosif ive seen before.

Im contemplating building it up this week with RC31`s XTR M952 Running Gear and Thomson Finishing Kit

I wouldnt have gone to the trouble or cost of restoring, i never liked the original 853`s paintwork anyway

 

[shaun]

Nice bike, I think it was a good price for a fully restored one. At least it saves you the trouble of having to decide what to do with it. To be honest, these frames are so rare now, especially in 18inch you just have to 'buy when you see one straight away'! :twisted:

I intend to re-build mine with Bomber Atom Z2 80's as it had when new in metallic blue colour, lots of polished alloy ie polished thomson stem, polished XT chainset, polished King headset, post etc, in contrast with the dark grey XTR rear mech, v-brakes, shifters, and hubs.

 

[Explosif27]

By the way. its a 1998 frame surely this should be in another section

 

[shaun]

Wasn't sure if it was a '97 or a 98. Didn't know it was that strict on here!

 

[drcarlos]

Something custom as IMO that colour and finish just doesn't do that frame justice.

Carl.