Kona Explosif..?

[talpfa]

Here is this Kona Explosif.
The frame has a 1999 or 1998 (Reynolds 853, mountain goat dropouts), but 2000 sticker.
This is some special version, release???
Someone has info??? Pipmeister...?
Thanks.

 

[Mikey08]

Never seen one in that colour before. The decals are in the '99 style

 

[talpfa]

 

[Mikey08]

The plot thickens. Based on the headtube badge, the decals are 2000 style, however in 2000 the Explosif was scandium and had disk mounts...........

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/explosif-2000-scandium.325928/

 

[talpfa]

The plot thickens. Based on the headtube badge, the decals are 2000 style, however in 2000 the Explosif was scandium and had disk mounts...........

I agree...

 

[FluffyChicken]

Serial number?

 

[Pipmeister]

Here is this Kona Explosif.
The frame has a 1999 or 1998 (Reynolds 853, mountain goat dropouts), but 2000 sticker.
This is some special version, release???
Someone has info??? Pipmeister...?
Thanks.
View attachment 530561

Well this is a bit of a mixture of features from various years. As you say, 2000 style Decals, including the oval Head Tube Badge. However, the 2000 Decals were the wacky Glow In The Dark version, which these don't appear to be.

The last time Reynolds 853 was used for an Explosif was for the 1999 model, which you have shown above. The 2000 and 2001 Explosif are Scandium Aluminium. The 2002 Explosif returned to Steel but is True Temper Platinum OX.

The Dropouts are Investment Cast, but I would be surprised if they are Goathead version that was used on the Hot frames. I think it more likely that they are New (Dew) Drop version. The Goathead version does indeed have a Goat's Head cast into them in two places, while the New Drop have a capital letter K cast into them. Are you able to show a close up picture of them?

I'm a bit stuck as to what year it could be, but the Serial Number stamped into the underside of the Bottom Bracket should reveal this. Overall it has more in common with a 1998 or 1999 Explosif than the decals that it is wearing suggest.

Pip

 

[talpfa]

Well this is a bit of a mixture of features from various years. As you say, 2000 style Decals, including the oval Head Tube Badge. However, the 2000 Decals were the wacky Glow In The Dark version, which these don't appear to be.

The last time Reynolds 853 was used for an Explosif was for the 1999 model, which you have shown above. The 2000 and 2001 Explosif are Scandium Aluminium. The 2002 Explosif returned to Steel but is True Temper Platinum OX.

The Dropouts are Investment Cast, but I would be surprised if they are Goathead version that was used on the Hot frames. I think it more likely that they are New (Dew) Drop version. The Goathead version does indeed have a Goat's Head cast into them in two places, while the New Drop have a capital letter K cast into them. Are you able to show a close up picture of them?

I'm a bit stuck as to what year it could be, but the Serial Number stamped into the underside of the Bottom Bracket should reveal this. Overall it has more in common with a 1998 or 1999 Explosif than the decals that it is wearing suggest.

Pip

I found the picture on Facebook (Kona Retro Kommunity)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/465657866918879
Unfortunately, no more pictures.

 

[TheAntsPants]

The rear half of the frame looks like a 98 Explosif. The right kind of dropouts and colour. I'd say someone painted over the front and stuck on new decals. Scratch a bit of the white paint off and you'll probably find blue underneath. That's one of the best riding steel frames Kona made. It deserves a bit more love than it's receiving right now.

 

[mk one]

Could be re-painted like mentioned, not able to get the correct years decals, or not wanting them, and fitted newer/current/only ones available, decals