Kona Hot Serial Number List - update 05/11/24

[Still Riding]

May have an opportunity to grab a TET 1637, anyone know original crankas and shifters?

 

[Pipmeister]

May have an opportunity to grab a TET 1637, anyone know original crankas and shifters?

The 1994 Hot is listed in the U.S. Catalogue (but not the U.K.) with: Sugino Impel 700 & Suntour XC Pro Top Mount - see below.

I believe that TET 1637 is a Factory Team bike. I only have one picture on file, which is the same shot as the one in your post. Some more pictures of this frame would be appreciated.



Pip

 

[Still Riding]

Re: kona Hot

Hi Pip, forgot I sent the one they sent me of the serial number I previously sent you. I got a look at it yesterday. XT components with a few commuter items and newer Bomber. Here are a few more pics. 93 Team Hot?

 

[Pipmeister]

Re: kona Hot

.... 93 Team Hot?

If you glance at the Hot Serial Number list on page 1, you'll see that this frame is listed as: TET 1637 - ##" 1994 Yellow to Orange fade (possibly Factory Team bike) – No picture of entire frame.

There are three other frames on the list (TET1657, TET 1681 and TET 1705) with the same Orange to Yellow Fade, that we believe are also Team Bikes - one of which was allegedly Trish Sinclair's Team bike.

Now I have a picture of the entire frame, I can alter the listing to reflect this, but I would like to add the frame size. Are you able to confirm the measurement from the centre of the Bottom Bracket to the top of the Seat Tube?

Many thanks.

Pip

 

[Pipmeister]

Re:

Rightyho, I have updated the Kona Hot list again with a couple of new entries.

Firstly a lovely Red 1993 TET via Sándor, and secondly (although arguably more significant) a 20" 1993 in very understated Champagne that was owned by the man himself. What I can't quite figure out though, is why and how did Tom choose to use 853 as the serial number for his own bike :? .

I am still waiting for some pictures of a Hodaka built 1998 from a new member so that I can add it to the list. I have done nearly all that I can with regards to helping them add pictures, including sending them my own e-mail address. I am yet to resort to sending them a pictorial instruction on how to add pictures to a post, but I will try that soon.

The other detail that would be useful is a confirmation of the size frame of the Orange / Yellow fade TET 1637 above. After looking at that picture, I have assumed that the Head Tube length is 150mm, and altered the list to document that it is 20".

Pip.

 

[NukclesP]

Re: Another TET. 472

Here is mine. Getting going on cleaning it up.

 

[Pipmeister]

Re:

Hello and welcome to Retrobike.

I will add your frame to the Hot Serial Number list when I next update it. I need just a little more detail - I'm not quite sure what size the frame is, although I'm guessing at 19" judging by the length of the Head Tube. Could you kindly give me the measurement from the centre of the Bottom Bracket to the top of the Seat Tube please.

It should clean up well. It is a great colour. Artificial lighting does make it tricky to be certain, but judging by the first photograph, I will list it as Deep Aqua Blue, unless you have a more appropriate description?

Perhaps you would like to start you own thread in the Reader's MTBs --> 1997 section:
viewforum.php?f=6

Pip

 

[Pipmeister]

Rightyho, I have updated the Hot Serial Number List again with a couple of frames.

Firstly, a somewhat understated 1993 19” in Black, with no Deals apart from the Tange Ultimate Ultrastrong.

Secondly, a frame that was brought to my attention by Alasdair from a thread on Facebook, which I don’t do. This was back in January 2019, and information came to light regarding the availability of the 1998 Enigma built frames. The evidence on offer resulting from that discussion sits uncomfortably with me, and somewhat disagrees with what we had previously been told by JeffB who started Enigma Design & Manufacturing in December 1996.

My view is that any controversy surrounding the problems associated with Welding and Cold Setting Reynold 853 Tubing has been confused or muddled over the years. I would go as far as to say that it has been subject to Poetic Licence or Chinese Whispers. There appear to be 2 separate issues, from 2 separate builders from different years of manufacture;

Firstly, the problems at Altitude in 1996 regarding Cold Setting the newly introduced Reynolds 853 tubing, and the apparent snapping at the Stays possibly owing to the design of the pre - Investment Cast Dropouts. Secondly, the later availability of the Opposite Oval 853 tubing used by Enigma on the 1998 frames, which extended to a run on into 1999 with Hodaka built frames filling some orders before the Steel Custom Program, was finally withdrawn.

Anyway, this newly added 17” 1998 Enigma frame had been Powder Coated by the original owner, concealing the Serial Number. I now have a picture of the Bottom Bracket where the paint has been scrapped away, which has revealed the Serial Number, although it did take a bit of deciphering .

Its sequential Serial Number is within keeping of the documented original total of 100 Hot frames that Enigma were contracted to build for Kona.

Pip

 

[al-onestare]

TET768 incoming!

 

[Emczerosix]

Kona Hot Frame Serial Numbers:

1991-1995 Tom Teesdale: West Branch, Iowa, Idaho.
The 1991 – 1995 frames are made from various mixes of Tange Prestige Concept, Tange Ultimate / Ultrastrong, Tange Ultimate / Superlight and Tange Ultimate / Ultralight.
Dropouts from ’91 – ‘93 with triangle hole.
Dropouts from '94 & ’95 have no triangle hole.
Serial Number format: TET# - TET####.

1996 & 1997 Altitude Cycle Technologies: Chico. California.
The 1996 & 1997 frames are made from Reynolds 853 Butted Main Tubes, and rumoured to have 725 Stays.
Dropouts on some early 1996 Altitude Hot frames have a similar flat design to the later TET frames - these frames have one Rear Brake Cable Stop at the front of the Top Tube & require a Dog Collar, with Down Tube routing for the Front and Rear Mech.
The later 1996 Hot frames have Goathead Investment Cast Dropouts – these frames have two Rear Brake Cable Stops on the Top Tube, with Down Tube routing for Front and Rear Mech.
Serial Number format 1996 frames - HT### & HT0### (currently with one exception).

The 1997 frames also have Goathead Investment Cast Dropouts, but with two double Cable Stops on the Top Tube at the front and the rear for the Front Mech and Rear Brake, with Down Tube routing for the Rear Mech.
Serial Number format 1997 frames - H096MM###.


1998 Enigma Design & Manufacturing: U.S.A. & Hodaka: Taiwan (built in ‘99).
The 1998 Enigma Hots are allegedly manufactured entirely from 853 Reynold tubing including the Stays. They have an Opposite Oval Downtube and lack the Bridge across the Chain Stays, similar to all Kona Ku frames.
Dropouts are the New (Dew) Drop Investment Cast “K” style.
Serial Number format: KH7M### & KH8M###.

The 1998 Hodaka built Hot rolled over into 1999. They have Rack Eyelets on the Seat Stays, and a Chain Stay Bridge. These also have the Opposite Oval Downtube, and may be all 853 tubing similar to the Enigma built Hot.
Dropouts are the New Drop Investment Cast “K” style.
Serial Number format: H9N1 ###.

Tom Teesdale:
TET 18 - 19” 1991 Orange, resprayed same colour c/w extra Rear Brake Stop – Integral Welded Seat Post Clamp, Integral under B.B. Cable guide, Triangle cut-out Dropout. (also stamped- 90KH0827C).
TET 066 - 19” 1991 repainted Purple by Peter Weigle c/w Custom Rear Brake Noodle (requested by Kona Grassroots Racing program member), No Decals - Integral Welded Seat Post Clamp, Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 097 – 16” 1991 Blue, Integral Welded Seat Post Clamp, Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 102 – 16” 1991 Silver - Integral Welded Seat Post Clamp, Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 107 - 16” 1991 Purple - Integral Welded Seat Post Clamp, Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 171 - 19” 1992 Steel Blue - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 175 - 19” 1992 Black - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 181 - 21” 1992 Blue – Dropouts out of shot.
TET 253 - 19” 1993 White stays / Black front triangle - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 262 - 19” 1993 Silver Lilac tint - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 270 - 19” 1993 Reddish/Orange - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 307 - 18” 1993 Metallic Purple - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 336 - 21” 1993 Metallic Green - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 338 - 21” 1993 Originally Dark Blue, now Apple Green - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 350 – 19” 1993 Red, Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 360 - 19” 1993 Purple c/w 1994 Decals - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 364 - 19” 1993 Burgundy c/w 1992 Decals, now Raw - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 367 - 19” 1993 Dark Green c/w custom U-Brake - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 377 - 18” 1993 Originally Purple/Blue, now Yellow c/w ‘94 Headtube Decal & remainder ‘96 Decals.
TET 408 - 19” 1993 Red/ Black fade - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 420 – 19” 1993 Metallic Grey by Chris Dekerf c/w rear rack mounts, No Decals, Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 465 - 18” 1993 Silver / Purple fade, now Aqua or Mint - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 472 – 19” 1993 Deep Aqua Blue - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 526 - 19” 1993 Blue - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 528 - 19” 1993 Green - Triangle cut-out Dropout
TET 535 - 17” 1993 original colour unknown, repainted Yellow, No Decals – Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 551 - 17” 1993 Apple Green, Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 576 - 16” 1993 Green, Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 591 - 19” 1993 Orange c/w 94 Decals & Post Mount type Disc Tab, (possibly for Factory Team bike) - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 593 - 19” 1993 Purple / Green fade, (possibly Team frame) - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 687 - 18” 1993 Grey - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 769 - 18” 1993 Black, Tange Ultimate Ultrastrong Decal only -Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 787 - 18” 1993 repainted Orange c/w ’94 Decals & I.S. Disc Tab - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 822 - 17” 1993 original colour unknown, repainted Lemon Yellow, No Decals, Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 853 - 20” 1993 Champagne, Triangle cut-out Dropout. Tom Teesdale’s!
TET 907 – 16” 1993 Original colour unknown, now Mustard, No Decals, Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 910 - 16” 1993 Purple c/w 1994 Silver/Orange Headtube Spiral Decal, and Silver Top Tube & Down Tube Decals, but also c/w 1995 “KONA Custom” Italic Decal – Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 924 - 14” 1993 Metallic Blue - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 930 - 20” 1993 Dark Green - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1010 - 19” 1993 Purple/Pink - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1015 - 19” 1993 Purple - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1106 - 18” 1993 Aqua Green - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1122 – 14” 1993 Teal Green c/w 1994 Decals - Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1200 - 14” 1994 Metallic Green – No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1216 - 19” 1994 Champagne Gold – No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1222 – 17” 1994 Champagne - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1225 – 17” 1994 Grey – No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1304 - 19” 1994 Dark Green - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1310 - 18" 1994 originally Silver Grey, now Pastel Blue c/w extra Rear Brake Stop, No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1322 - 18” 1994 originally Green, now Metallic Blue, with Custom Cable Guides - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1392 - 18” 1994 Silver - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1450 - 18” 1994 Blue, Top Tube Cable Stop removed! - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1463 - 18” 1994 Cobalt Blue c/w Block “Kona Custom” 1994 Decal - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1507 - 18” 1994 Tequila Sunrise c/w 1994 Silver/Orange Headtube Spiral Decal, and Silver Top Tube & Down Tube Decals, but also c/w 1995 “KONA Custom” Italic Decal - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1530 - 18” 1994 White c/w Block “Kona Custom” 1994 Decal - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1548 - 16” 1994 Dark Blue c/w Block “Kona Custom” 1994 Decal - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1637 - 20” 1994 Yellow to Orange fade (possibly Factory Team bike) - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1638 - 20” 1994 Burgundy c/w Gold 1995 Decals including “KONA Custom” Italic 1995 Decal - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1645 - 20” 1994 Burgundy c/w Gold 1995 Decals, Kona Custom Decal missing – Picture of Dropouts not clear.
TET 1657 - 17” 1994 Yellow to Orange fade (possibly Factory Team bike), Sliver Decals c/w 1994 Block “Kona Custom” Decal and Factory Team Headtube Decal - No Triangle cut-out Dropout..
TET 1681 - 17” 1994 Orange c/w Gold 1995 Downtube, Toptube & Headtube Decals, Kona Custom Decal missing (allegedly Trish Sinclair Team bike) - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1682 – 17” 1994 Burgundy, Silver Decals c/w 1994 Block “Kona Custom” Decal - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1705 - 17” 1994 Yellow to Orange fade (possibly Factory Team bike), Silver Decals, Kona Custom Decal missing - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1713 – 19” 1994 Creamy Yellow with Custom Cable Guides, Silver Hot and Headtube Decal only, no Kona Custom Decal - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.
TET 1882 – 14” 1995 Silver Tange Ultimate frame c/w 1996 Blue Decals - No Triangle cut-out Dropout.

Altitude:
HT0111 – 17” 1996 Burgundy, Goathead Dropouts, Rear Brake Stop.
HT121 – 19” 1996 Stars ‘n’ Bars, Flat Dropouts, Dog Collar.
HT123 – 19” 1996 Stars ‘n’ Bars, Flat Dropouts, Dog Collar.
HT0127 – 16” 1996 Stars ‘n’ Bars, Goathead Dropouts, Rear Brake Stop, bought early Spring ‘96.
HT0176 – 17” 1996 Orange, Goathead Dropouts, Rear Brake Stop.
HT0192 – 18” 1996 Stars ‘n’ Bars (possibly ex-Team member’s bike), Goathead Dropouts, Rear Brake Stop.
HT209 – 18” 1996 Stars ‘n’ Bars Goathead Dropouts, Rear Brake Stop.
HT218 – 17” / 18” 1996 Stars ‘n’ Bars, Goathead Dropouts, Rear Brake Stop.
HT277 – 20” 1996 Electric Blue, Goathead Dropouts, Rear Brake Stop.
H09606036 - 18” 1996 Burgundy rear half, Orange front half c/w Maple Leaf design, Goathead Dropouts, 1996 Cable Stops – no Decals.
H09607048 – 18” 1997 Rasta Green & Yellow Flame, Goathead Dropouts.
H09611034 – 19” 1997 c/w ’96 Decals, Blue with Burgundy Flame, Goathead Dropouts.
H09611049 – 18” 1997 Stars ‘n’ Bars, Goathead Dropouts.
H09611059 – 19” 1997 Stars ‘n’ Bars, Goathead Dropouts.
H09611110 – 17” 1997 Burgundy with White Headtube & Spears, Goathead Dropouts.

Enigma:
KH77017 - 17" 1998 Sparkle Green c/w '95 Decals (original colour Green), Enigma w/o Chainstay Bridge.
KH78005 – 18” 1998 Black (then apparently Orange), Enigma w/o Chainstay Bridge.
KH78007 – 18” 1998 Stars ‘n’ Bars (sold 27/02/98 on Ferndale receipt), Enigma w/o Chainstay Bridge.
KH89083 – 19” 1998 Metallic Orange, Enigma w/o Chainstay Bridge.
KHB0118 (possibly KH80118 or KH89118) 20” 1998 Mustard Yellow, Enigma w/o Chainstay Bridge.

Hodaka:
H8A2 6608 - 17” 1998 in 1997 livery with Rasta Green and Yellow Flames, and 1998 Cable Routing – claimed to be a Demo frame. No Opposite Oval Downtube, which is a feature of the Hodaka built Hot – therefore possibly a ‘98 Explosif.
H9N1 7763 – 21” 1998 Green.
H9N1 7857 – 18” 1998 Sparkle Red.
#H9##350 (possibly H9N1 #350) – 18” 1998 Metallic Green.

To Be Continued, Pip

Please send me a Private Message if you would like to add a serial number to this list, or discuss the year currently documented for a frame.

I recently purchased the ’93 TET 769 frame with a titanium seat post and xtr front deralliuer for $350 (planning to do a restoration, although I will keep the of paint and not add decals, apparently it was sent to a privateer from Kona in BC, Canada with a full xtr groupo after he gave his height and weight, he was 6’ 1” and 170 pounds, later on that season he tried to pull a bar whip and crashed making a small dent in the top tube and fracturing his collarbone. Pip, if you have any details on the name of the privateer or could point me direction that would be amazing.
Cheers,
Elijah, a fellow retro bike enthusiast and restorer