Kona Ku Serial Number List - update 01/11/24

[Ductape]

Re: 1998 Kona Ku

I enjoy when someone does so much research with not much gain beyond self fulfillment about their passion.

What I know about the orange 97 Ku:

My buddy owned a bike shop and in 1998 was selling Kona's. It was time for a new steed so we ordered up a 1998 King Kikapu. As ugly as this bike was, I loved the way it rode. My first full suspension bike, a total dream.

Well, summer 2000 I cracked the top tube/seat tube junction and with help from my buddy, we contacted Kona for a warranty frame. Kona was very easy to deal with but they did not have a replacement frame for my 1998 King Kikapu. They offered up a screaming deal on any 2001 model arriving that fall. I was ok with this, but being the middle of summer I needed a bike to ride. Again Kona acted in kind and sent me a used but in great shape 1997 Custom Ku frame. I transferred over what I could from the King Kikapu worked out the rest, while learning to love a hardtail once again.

The bike was a touch too small for me, but I loved the way it rode. Light, Easy to throw around and gentle on the climbs.

Fall 2000 I got one of the first 2001 Stinky Primo's off the ship (I live about 100 miles from Kona home base). The Ku got put on the back burner for any rides shorter than three hours, but it was still the go to bike for all day rides. The Stinky and the Ku are certainly close to opposite extremes of the Kona line.

A few years ago, I sold the Ku off to fund a different bike project. Never any issues with it, always a blast to ride.

Many incarnations (always a rider not a beauty queen), this was the last one before I let it go.

 

[al-onestare]

Re: 1998 Kona Ku

Super cool!

 

[Pipmeister]

Re: 1998 Kona Ku

I enjoy when someone does so much research with not much gain beyond self fulfillment about their passion.

What I know about the orange 97 Ku:

My buddy owned a bike shop and in 1998 was selling Kona's. It was time for a new steed so we ordered up a 1998 King Kikapu. As ugly as this bike was, I loved the way it rode. My first full suspension bike, a total dream.

Well, summer 2000 I cracked the top tube/seat tube junction and with help from my buddy, we contacted Kona for a warranty frame. Kona was very easy to deal with but they did not have a replacement frame for my 1998 King Kikapu. They offered up a screaming deal on any 2001 model arriving that fall. I was ok with this, but being the middle of summer I needed a bike to ride. Again Kona acted in kind and sent me a used but in great shape 1997 Custom Ku frame. I transferred over what I could from the King Kikapu worked out the rest, while learning to love a hardtail once again.

The bike was a touch too small for me, but I loved the way it rode. Light, Easy to throw around and gentle on the climbs.

Fall 2000 I got one of the first 2001 Stinky Primo's off the ship (I live about 100 miles from Kona home base). The Ku got put on the back burner for any rides shorter than three hours, but it was still the go to bike for all day rides. The Stinky and the Ku are certainly close to opposite extremes of the Kona line.

A few years ago, I sold the Ku off to fund a different bike project. Never any issues with it, always a blast to ride.

Many incarnations (always a rider not a beauty queen), this was the last one before I let it go.

Thank you very much for that interesting story.

I am particularly interested to hear that you found the Ku so rewarding for all day rides. I mentioned earlier in this thread that I am an advocate for aluminium frames, and now own five different Kona versions. I am a skinny guy who lacks a lot of strength, so a nippy light hardtail is a real benefit to me for all day riding. A heavier rider may find an aluminium frame too harsh for long rides, but it appears that my lightweight sends me pinging out of the saddle more, so there is less of a hammering on my body.

Anyway, back to this thread; I have now sent my message to Kona asking a few key questions about the 1998 Ku.

Pip.

 

[bikerguync]

Re: Kona Ku Info and cracked frame question

Hi guys,
First time here but I saw this thread since I own an older Kona Ku. Really interesting with all of the background and history about these great bikes.

I was first really excited to share my Kona pictures with the group here and then my heart sank. After taking a few pictures and looking a them more closely I noticed I had a crack around the fork opening. I really felt bad because of this, as I don't know how or when this could have happened. My son really wanted the bike when he gets taller and can ride it. I hate to now break it to him that the frame may have to be trashed. :cry:

I bought this mountain bike in San Francisco around 2000 off of Craigslist. It was a great deal considering all of the components on it - XTR components, Chris King headset, Kore stem, Mavic wheels, Gore Ride On cable system, Marzocchi bomber forks, etc. I believe I paid around $750 for it at the time because the seller just needed the money.

The serial number on it is (shown in one of the pics):
K09606046

The paint looks to be original flat black with yellow Kona Ku decals.

My questions are:

1) Can someone here tell me more about the bike? It looks to be similar to the "stars and stripes" serial references mentioned in this thread.

2) Can the frame be fixed? I've read conflicting statements on fixing it from other bike forums. Because it's aluminum and where the crack is located it's probably unfixable. I hope so though. This bike is super light - lighter than any new mountain bike I've picked up recently.

I can take more pics to share if needed. Sorry it's so dirty. Just haven't had the time to clean her up since the last ride, which was some time ago.

Many Thanks!

 

[Pipmeister]

Re:

Thank you for sharing these pictures.

Well the serial number does indeed seem to be the same sequence that we have established for the 1996 Kona Ku.

Welded in June 1996 number 46 – assuming that we have deciphered the Kona / Altitude frame numbering system! The dropouts appear to be correct, although a better picture of them would help. The cable stops are also correct, so it is looking to be the real deal.

The paint on the other hand is another issue altogether, which needs further study, or hopefully better pictures taken outdoors.

From the bikes that we have seen so far, the 1996 Ku decals are underneath clear lacquer, so this would suggest that the paint on your frame is not original as the decals on your frame are erroneous replacements – notwithstanding the missing “Handmade in U.S.A.” decal on the Seat Tube and “Kona Custom” decal on the Top Tube.

With regards to more information on your bike, you will probably find all that you need by reading through this entire thread, and follow the links within it.

The crack in the Head Tube is a real shame, and I don’t know enough about repairing it – I would assume it’s not viable. I have read however that excessive strain can be put on any frame’s Headtube, by running forks that are too long, which upsets the intended geometry.

Pip.

 

[bikerguync]

Re:

pipmeister, thanks so much for the reply.

Regarding the paint color... I can tell you that the flat black is definitely the only color and coat of paint on the bike since there is nothing but aluminum under the black where there are scuffs or paint is removed due to wear and tear. The Kona and "Ku" decals are indeed on top of the paint and not under clear lacquer.

I'm assuming this could be due to the original owner receiving a Kona frame unpainted from Kona, as I seem to remember a little about our conversation from over 16 years ago and him mentioning how he wanted to have custom paint and not the factory bright colors. So, Kona shipped him the frame before factory painting. I believe he said he got this done by knowing someone there at Kona, like a friend or a friend or something like that. The guy I bought the bike from worked at a bike store before he moved from the city and I knew he customized a lot of bikes. Wish I had his name but it was so long ago... :?

I will clean her up this weekend and post several more pictures. I hope that'll help more with the thread. But maybe I have one of the only or very few, non-factory painted Konas that was customized by the buyer?

 

[Pipmeister]

Re:

That is very interesting what you say about a special order for a customer via a friend at Kona. I have a very unusual King Kahuna that was painted as a special request through a connection with Kona.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=333553

…. and of late we have seen a few examples of Kona models turning up that were previously only rumoured to have existed – so you never know what may turn up!

An interesting feature of a Ku (and I believe the Custom Hot) was the omission of a Chain Stay Brace on the frame near the Bottom Bracket. Take a look at the previous page with the three Stars ‘n’ Bars on the table, and you will see what I mean.

Back to info on your frame; Easton ProGram Elite was the tubing used for the 1996 Ku, and yours looks to be a 19” frame. Perhaps you could measure it from Centre of the Bottom Bracket to the top of the Seat Tube.

Pip.

 

[al-onestare]

Re: 1998 Kona Ku

Blimey, some interesting stuff here.

Echoing Pip, thanks for sharing this. June 96 makes it in the 97 range production-era but the routing is very much 96 so as Pip says it's probably a late 96 model...

Being honest, and maybe it's just me or the colour but those welds look a bit messy. Compared to Kula's or Koa's of the day, it doesn't look as neat which is a shame considering the price, rarity and the tube-set. It looks like she's had a hard life: is that a dent on the top-tube? As Pip says, that crack is almost certainly down to running the wrong length forks coupled with hard riding.

 

[Pipmeister]

Re:

As Alasdair has highlighted, I did wonder about those welds…. however the Dropouts look to be correct and were found on the 1995, 1996 & 1997 Ku.

Rather strangely these Dropouts were also uniquely found on the gorgeous Aqua Green 1995 Kula made from Easton Elan tubing, but not the 1994, 1996 & 1997 Kula. A better picture of this Ku will reveal more.

Part of the cost for a Custom Ku was the paint job done by VeloGraphics in Bellingham. It was Sikkens polyurethane, and I would say gives a better finish to the Handmade in USA frames compared to the “off the peg” models.

Pip

 

[Blaggsy]

Re:

Hi' new to the forum' but just been doing a bit of digging for my 94 Aqua green kula, program 3 elan frame. I've owned it for 16 years, it was totally standard when I got her and until the front shocks went south I slowly upgraded bits here and there, was wondering how rare they are and many would have been made? I'm in uk, got some ice on my phone but can't upload
Cheers chris,