Kona serial number
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Pipmeister
Senior Retro Guru
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That sounds like a 1994 Kilauea, but if this frame is Tange Prestige Concept Tubing, I'm struggling to see the bulge at the bottom of the Seat Tube where it joins the Bottom Bracket. There may be slight evidence in picture number six, but a shot in daylight or more straight on may show it.
I'm also looking for a crease on the inside of the Chain Stay, as models lower down the hierarchy did not have this feature. Again, a picture detailing this or maybe in the daylight will help identify this frame.
It sounds like you'll need to scrape away at the paint to see a serial number! As I said in my e-mail, this will only date the frame, not tell us what model it is.
Pip
That sounds like a 1994 Kilauea, but if this frame is Tange Prestige Concept Tubing, I'm struggling to see the bulge at the bottom of the Seat Tube where it joins the Bottom Bracket. There may be slight evidence in picture number six, but a shot in daylight or more straight on may show it.
I'm also looking for a crease on the inside of the Chain Stay, as models lower down the hierarchy did not have this feature. Again, a picture detailing this or maybe in the daylight will help identify this frame.
It sounds like you'll need to scrape away at the paint to see a serial number! As I said in my e-mail, this will only date the frame, not tell us what model it is.
Pip
Pipmeister
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With these extra pictures that detail the Seat Tube bugle and the Chain Stay indent crease, I would say the that the frame is likely to be a Kilauea.
The weight of the frame is a good indication, but that will be tricky while it's built up. I have a 1993 Kilauea, and Mike Splatterpaint also has / had one. I've not weighed my frame - maybe Mike weighed his? I have a post from Anthony filed away somewhere with the weights of the mid 90's Kona Steel frames, so I will look for that later - or you could search on here for his post(s).
The serial number below is from a 1994 Kilauea: F4038503 - F = Fairly Works, 4 = 1994, 03= March, 8503= Serial. But scraping the paint away from your frame may be asking too much :shock:... BTW, you're correct about the finish, which is first class.
Give it a bit of time for other members to read this thread, and someone may confirm for sure what your frame is.
Kilauea respray_12 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Kilauea respray_11 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Kilauea respray_10 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
1994 Kilauea Serial F4038503 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Pip.
With these extra pictures that detail the Seat Tube bugle and the Chain Stay indent crease, I would say the that the frame is likely to be a Kilauea.
The weight of the frame is a good indication, but that will be tricky while it's built up. I have a 1993 Kilauea, and Mike Splatterpaint also has / had one. I've not weighed my frame - maybe Mike weighed his? I have a post from Anthony filed away somewhere with the weights of the mid 90's Kona Steel frames, so I will look for that later - or you could search on here for his post(s).
The serial number below is from a 1994 Kilauea: F4038503 - F = Fairly Works, 4 = 1994, 03= March, 8503= Serial. But scraping the paint away from your frame may be asking too much :shock:... BTW, you're correct about the finish, which is first class.
Give it a bit of time for other members to read this thread, and someone may confirm for sure what your frame is.
Kilauea respray_12 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Kilauea respray_11 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Kilauea respray_10 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
1994 Kilauea Serial F4038503 by Philip Mock, on FlickrPip.
Splatter Paint
Retrobike Rider
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Good work Pip!
RE welds, I’d take more clues / weight of evidence from the tubeset than the welds alone. I.e. they are not diagnostic alone, but were an anomaly compared to other Kilaueas I’ve seen - including my own.
Weight wise, 2.2kg for a 19” ‘93 Kilauea and just under 2kg for the Explosif.
SP
Good work Pip!
RE welds, I’d take more clues / weight of evidence from the tubeset than the welds alone. I.e. they are not diagnostic alone, but were an anomaly compared to other Kilaueas I’ve seen - including my own.
Weight wise, 2.2kg for a 19” ‘93 Kilauea and just under 2kg for the Explosif.
SP
Skeeter1
Kona Fan
Re:
Thanks to both of you above for responding to my post,
I have to say I didn't sleep well last night with the sickening feeling inside that I had bought a model which isn't a Kilauea.
I'm still plucking up the courage to scratch the nice paint to find some more digits.
By the sound of it it's looking a lot more likely it is what I was told it was,which is a huge relief.
I'm away from home for the next couple of days now,but if you can think of any more photo's I could upload which will help then I can add those when I'm home. Although i feel you both have done enough for me already and I just want to say I appreciate the time you have given me.
Best wishes.
Thanks to both of you above for responding to my post,
I have to say I didn't sleep well last night with the sickening feeling inside that I had bought a model which isn't a Kilauea.
I'm still plucking up the courage to scratch the nice paint to find some more digits.
By the sound of it it's looking a lot more likely it is what I was told it was,which is a huge relief.
I'm away from home for the next couple of days now,but if you can think of any more photo's I could upload which will help then I can add those when I'm home. Although i feel you both have done enough for me already and I just want to say I appreciate the time you have given me.
Best wishes.
Hi, i think from the features and the tubeset it is a '94 model as already mentioned. The tubeset is Tange Prestige so that would make it a Kilauea.
The lower models in the range had a squashed/oval tube at the bottom of the seat tube, where as the Prestige tubes have a bulge, which goes all the way around the tube. I have included a picture of my '93 Kilauea and '93 Cinder Cone, which is the model below in the range. From the front they both look similar though if you look you can see the bulge is pronounced on the Kilauea where as it is gradual on the CC. It is from the side view that you can tell the difference, the CC tube being squashed while the Kilauea Prestige tube bulge can be seen from any angle.
Hope this makes sense :shock:
Mark
The lower models in the range had a squashed/oval tube at the bottom of the seat tube, where as the Prestige tubes have a bulge, which goes all the way around the tube. I have included a picture of my '93 Kilauea and '93 Cinder Cone, which is the model below in the range. From the front they both look similar though if you look you can see the bulge is pronounced on the Kilauea where as it is gradual on the CC. It is from the side view that you can tell the difference, the CC tube being squashed while the Kilauea Prestige tube bulge can be seen from any angle.
Hope this makes sense :shock:
Mark
Last edited:
Skeeter1
Kona Fan
Re:
MARK!! That's a great comparison and it fills me even more with confidence that I have the real deal and also that I feel In my eyes got a good bargain in the end.
I have to say I love those two frames you unloaded as the 93 cindercone was my first real MTB which I had when I was about 15!! The Kilauea was the one I really wanted as I loved that cherry red fade, but couldn't quite afford it at the time.
It's so great to see those and all the memories come rushing back.
All the best mate.
MARK!! That's a great comparison and it fills me even more with confidence that I have the real deal and also that I feel In my eyes got a good bargain in the end.
I have to say I love those two frames you unloaded as the 93 cindercone was my first real MTB which I had when I was about 15!! The Kilauea was the one I really wanted as I loved that cherry red fade, but couldn't quite afford it at the time.
It's so great to see those and all the memories come rushing back.
All the best mate.
The test results back in 95 did all the taking!!....
Tiffanyrh7
Retro Newbie
Help! I need help identifying the year of my Kona Dew!
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