KONA KULA 94/95 or so i thought...going bananas. Please help

[YETI78]

I was sure i had a 94/95 Kula (or AA) frame in my hands until i realized there was a seatpost shim inside the Frame. The poor paint job did somehow hide the shim and only when i removed it now i see my frame was made for a 28.6mm seatpost :shock: not a 27.0mm (Kona standard to the best of my knowledge)

The frame is Easton DB, has the E in the downtube and serial number (F94009) and at first sight all the characteristics of a Kona aluminium frame

I'm going bananas now. What frame could this be? Please help

 

[YETI78]

Re:

https://ibb.co/kTenMo
https://ibb.co/bVmdST
https://ibb.co/hE33u8
https://ibb.co/c9MdST
https://ibb.co/g2fSMo
https://ibb.co/e8KXnT

 

[YETI78]

I hope the pictures help somebody solve this mystery. or i'm i missing something?

 

[Pipmeister]

Re:

From what I can see, it is a 1994 Kula - the first year that Kona introduced aluminum frames into their line-up.

They were built in the Fairly factory, same as the 1995 Kula was, and are constructed from Easton Varilite ProGram tubing.

As for your Seat Post dilemma, I have no idea what is going on there. My 1995 Kula is definitely 27.0mm

Pip.

 

[YETI78]

Thanks Pip! Maybe the Fairly Factory manufactured frames for other brands?

 

[Pipmeister]

Thanks Pip! Maybe the Fairly Factory manufactured frames for other brands?

Yes indeed, they most certainly did - several well known manufacturers.

My only guess regarding the 28.6 OD shim is that at some point the Seat Tube was reamed out to accommodate a more popular Seat Post size. Having said that, it would be preferable to ream out to 27.2mm, as that would give the frame a bit more beef at a point of stress.

Pip

 

[Gruff]

Re:

I'm pretty sure my 94 Kula did not have a replaceable gear hanger.

 

[Pipmeister]

Re: Re:

I'm pretty sure my 94 Kula did not have a replaceable gear hanger.

Here are a couple of pictures of 1994 Kula Gear Hangers, which appear to be removable.

The 1995, 1996 & 1997 were not replaceable - It wasn't until 1998 that the replaceable Gear Hanger returned.

1994 Kula 19_3 by Philip Mock, on Flickr

1994 Kula hanger by Philip Mock, on Flickr

Pip