Kona Hot 1998

[JeremyTai]

That's cool and thanks Is this the original paint or have you had it resprayed?

Original paint.

 

[Takingabreak]

Original paint.

what do you think it might be worth? I have no idea what the retro bike market is like in Germany but in the UK the whole cycling market is completely on the floor

 

[Takingabreak]

Thinking about it rationally, it's worth more than an Explosif but less than a Hei Hei. £500 maybe?

 

[al-onestare]

Hi, I believe the M/N in the serial number represents the fortnight in the year. 52 weeks, 26 letters so A is the first 2 weeks in January, B the second 2 weeks etc. The number following it is usually a zero or one which might represent whether it is the first or second week, although this is a guess and I have seen a couple of examples of different numbers. Therefore, this frame was built just a week or two before the other Hodaka Hots mentioned above, around late June '99. For another example, I have a '99 Explosif frame with S/N H9M16372 so, in theory, that was built in the same week as this frame.

One question I have about this frame, does it have the bi-ovalized down tube that matches the other Hodaka Hots? It is hard to tell from the pictures.

Exactly this, thank you for pointing it out. The paintwork is puzzling me. It doesn't have the lustre that Enigma Hots have (I spot blue under the black as well and that isn't usually the primer or undercoat colour), and the decals are all over the place.

Any details you could provide @JeremyTai about what you ordered back in the day would be great, to help us figure out the valuation.

 

[murphy79]

I agree that the decals are all wrong and appear to be repro, and that will probably affect value as they may put some doubt in the minds of potential buyers to whether it is actually a Hot. The paint too as it may not be considered as exciting a colour as other frames (although I quite like the simplicity of a simple black frame). The components look top notch though, and in good condition, so that might be where much of the value lies.

Interestingly, I found this other old thread where there was a similar debate about whether a frame was a Hot or Explosif, with most people agreeing it was the latter until Kona confirmed (based on the serial number) it was indeed a Hot, so it could be a similar case here. Not sure the Kona of today would be able to answer that though! That frame did have the ovalized tubing though.

 

[JeremyTai]

Thank you for all the insight and input concerning the bike; it reminded me why I loved riding mountain bikes in the late 80s and early 90s...the people and the community

That said, I'll see if I can take some photos of the tubes later today.

At this point, do you all think it makes more sense to sell the bike complete or part it out?

 

[d8mok]

Thank you for all the insight and input concerning the bike; it reminded me why I loved riding mountain bikes in the late 80s and early 90s...the people and the community

That said, I'll see if I can take some photos of the tubes later today.

At this point, do you all think it makes more sense to sell the bike complete or part it out?

It’ll be worth more in parts but there is also time and effort involved.

Did you add the decals? Any prior pictures ?

 

[JeremyTai]

I bought it new from a shop in Hamburg, Germany. It was my third Kona from the shop but, this one was all custom and wasn't sold as a complete set-up.

The frame in the photos is as I bought it with no alterations. I also chose all the parts myself.

The only thing that has changed is the fork; I have a Manitou Mars that no longer holds air, so I bought the RockShox that is in the photos.

 

[al-onestare]

Thank you for all the insight and input concerning the bike; it reminded me why I loved riding mountain bikes in the late 80s and early 90s...the people and the community

That said, I'll see if I can take some photos of the tubes later today.

At this point, do you all think it makes more sense to sell the bike complete or part it out?

Thanks, some extra photos would help, including if there's a chain- stay bridge between the bottom stays.

 

[manon_emilie]

Hi! I might be interested but I cannot pm you. Could you start a conversation ? Iam located in France and could do the travel or pay for expedition depending on your preferences.