Nice find (terrible repro decals), we have this one
Indeed, a very early 1997 KK model.
Kona Titanium Serial Number List - update 04/12/24
- Thread starter al-onestare
- Start date
Indeed, a very early 1997 KK model.Pics?
Ooooo! We defo need to see some pic's of this if you can! Such a highly sought after frame and for good reason, especially if there's 2! #168 put's it firmly in the 18" frames that don't exist
For now added to the list as:
KS18168 - Verbal on RB
Time to stand-up and raise your glasses to a confirmed factory team rider, rasta flames Hei Hei. This was identified and discussed last year, and personally, a few years before. I was this close to buying it but it's too small and my fleet are riders. The seller was kind enough to share a lot of pictures but not the SN. A year later, the new owner shared the SN earlier this week here. Congratulations and thank you @mklilja !
This is Seamus McGrath's team bike, ridden at the Canadian nationals and many, many other events throughout 1996, 1997 and probably early 1998. It's an early 1996 production Hei Hei as you'd expect in the timeline and has the factory and sponsor decals including the infamous Columbus top-tube decal. The remains of his name are on the top tube, near the head-tube.
To find an ex-team bike is one thing. To have a confirmed SN is even sweeter. Pip would be leaping for joy...and almost certainly looking to purchase it!
(pre SN paint-removal!)
B18442 - Top Tube: 1996 style front & rear Stops for Rear Brake Cable, original 1997 Yellow Decals. Seamus McGrath's team factory bike. Rasta flames livery. Mavic, RaceFace and Columbus sponsorship decals. Remains of Seamus' name (decals) on top-tube.
This is Seamus McGrath's team bike, ridden at the Canadian nationals and many, many other events throughout 1996, 1997 and probably early 1998. It's an early 1996 production Hei Hei as you'd expect in the timeline and has the factory and sponsor decals including the infamous Columbus top-tube decal. The remains of his name are on the top tube, near the head-tube.
To find an ex-team bike is one thing. To have a confirmed SN is even sweeter. Pip would be leaping for joy...and almost certainly looking to purchase it!
(pre SN paint-removal!)
B18442 - Top Tube: 1996 style front & rear Stops for Rear Brake Cable, original 1997 Yellow Decals. Seamus McGrath's team factory bike. Rasta flames livery. Mavic, RaceFace and Columbus sponsorship decals. Remains of Seamus' name (decals) on top-tube.
And if that wasn't enough, how about a custom painted 1994 Haole? 
@murphy79 has come onto the site with a bang this week. A 1997 Caldera, 1996 Ku and this...unreal!
This is the first pictured 1994 Haole apart from the catalogue shot, and it's only the second SN confirmed for the model year. Interestingly the only other one on file is recorded with a custom paint job as well. Clearly this was becoming the fashion for Kona, paving the way for the painted Hei Hei's seen in 1995 and beyond. I have to say this colour and the fade is stunning. Pip would be doing back-flips!
B55077 - Bullet, Seat Post Binder. Painted purple head-tube to beginning of top/bottom tube, white line, then pink with white line for exposed half rear triangle
@murphy79 has come onto the site with a bang this week. A 1997 Caldera, 1996 Ku and this...unreal!
This is the first pictured 1994 Haole apart from the catalogue shot, and it's only the second SN confirmed for the model year. Interestingly the only other one on file is recorded with a custom paint job as well. Clearly this was becoming the fashion for Kona, paving the way for the painted Hei Hei's seen in 1995 and beyond. I have to say this colour and the fade is stunning. Pip would be doing back-flips!
B55077 - Bullet, Seat Post Binder. Painted purple head-tube to beginning of top/bottom tube, white line, then pink with white line for exposed half rear triangle
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@Classiker reminded me that we have seen a 1994 Haole before...I even found it years ago 
I've tweaked the details for what must have been #81. Sometimes I find little oddities in the details Pip kindly handed over
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1994-haole-ti-painted.401052/
I've tweaked the details for what must have been #81. Sometimes I find little oddities in the details Pip kindly handed over https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1994-haole-ti-painted.401052/
As mentioned on the Hot serial number thread here is a '94 Haole, factory painted in a one-off scheme. The pictures do not really do the colours justice, sorry about that (and the rusty bolt, the frame is just out of storage and that will be corrected before the weekend is out!). It is a rich burgundy purple at the front, and a light pink towards the rear separated by a thin painted white stripe. The stays have been left unpainted, again separated by the stripe. It's a 55cm frame, with serial number B55077.
Simply stunning. Duly updated:
B55077 - Bullet, Seat Post Binder. Painted purple head-tube to beginning of top/bottom tube, white line, then pink with white line for exposed half rear triangle
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