** Show us your Modern/retro Kona **
- Thread starter Hallas29
- Start date
enc
Kona Fan
Bennyboy95
Dirt Disciple
sheppf1000
Retro Guru
Love those paint jobs!!
Bennyboy95
Dirt Disciple
Main reason i bought is for the paint work.
rickpaulos
Retro Newbie
Kona Hot by Teesdale
I worked with Tom for some years in the 1970s/1980s. Tom was building custom frames in the back building of a bike shop in Davenport Iowa where I worked as a bike mechanic. He relocated from his fathers barn at the request of the bike shop manager who knew Tom from their college days. I would assemble his frames and tandems for local customers. The bike shop sold and moved to a new building and Tom wasn't included in the new owners plans. After he moved to West Branch Iowa and I moved to Iowa City, I would often stop by his place in West Branch for small projects and to chat. One day I had an appointment and he was late. Tom arrived riding a really beat up Kona Hot. What he said to me was just incredible. I know Tom has designed and built an unknown number of prototypes and initial production for perhaps several dozen bike companies including Kona. He had a great reputation within the bike manufacturers. Mostly unknown by the rest of the world. Tom Anyhow Tom said to me "Of all the bikes I've built, this is my favorite". Wow. I had to get one. TET on the bb was his signature on the frames.
I worked with Tom for some years in the 1970s/1980s. Tom was building custom frames in the back building of a bike shop in Davenport Iowa where I worked as a bike mechanic. He relocated from his fathers barn at the request of the bike shop manager who knew Tom from their college days. I would assemble his frames and tandems for local customers. The bike shop sold and moved to a new building and Tom wasn't included in the new owners plans. After he moved to West Branch Iowa and I moved to Iowa City, I would often stop by his place in West Branch for small projects and to chat. One day I had an appointment and he was late. Tom arrived riding a really beat up Kona Hot. What he said to me was just incredible. I know Tom has designed and built an unknown number of prototypes and initial production for perhaps several dozen bike companies including Kona. He had a great reputation within the bike manufacturers. Mostly unknown by the rest of the world. Tom Anyhow Tom said to me "Of all the bikes I've built, this is my favorite". Wow. I had to get one. TET on the bb was his signature on the frames.
rickpaulos
Retro Newbie
Nice list, the Kona Hot List. I hope the above post has what's needed to add it to the list for whoever is maintaining the list now.
MattiThundrrr
Kona Fan
@al-onestare have you seen Rick's Hot pictures with serial number? His personal history of working with Tom T shouldn't be overlooked either. Thanks for sharing that, Rick, incredibly cool
DrDaveTampa
Retro Guru
I painted this '92 LavaDome cuz I didn't think it looked enough like lava. Wife kinda screwed up her face and said, "It looks like an alligator." I like that even better.
