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Vintage Kona info request

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Vintage Kona info request

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flag Halle62
Posted: Jun 10, 2025 at 14:28 Quote
Hi all,
6 or so months ago I purchased an old Kona Single speed. Model name on the top tube is "One" and it's called a "Kona Custom" instead of just a Kona. It's a steel frame bike and relatively small tubing diameter.

It's nicely equipped with high end vintage parts. I don't know if it was a custom build or a high end factory bike, but it was clearly someone's precious back in the day. I've been unable to find any online documentation for the model and now that I'm getting ready to tear it apart I'd like to find out if it's something special, or just old enough to predate internet documentation (which seems unlikely).

Can anyone tell me anything about the model? I'd appreciate any info or documentation that you can dig up.

Thanks
flag eshew
Posted: Jun 11, 2025 at 12:59 Quote
Can you post a pic of the bike or decals?

For decals what color and font?

The Kona logo should help identify year
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/Manufacturer+Archive/Kona/

The Kona Custom decal is usually for made in USA products or custom paint colors.

Could be a version of the Custom Cruiser from 96? Tough to say with out pics, if you message me I can give you an email to send pics to and post them, otherwise you have to upload, and copy and past the photo # in PB images.
1996 Kona Catalog rpice list germany
1996 Kona Catalog rpice list germany
flag Halle62
Posted: Jun 11, 2025 at 13:50 Quote
The stickers are a bit beat up but I'll run out to my storeroom and take a few shots when I get a chance. Might take a day or so.

The bike is the "pumpkin orange" that I've seen on a bunch of older Konas. Not likely to be custom IMO, but that's just my gut feeling.
flag eshew
Posted: Jun 11, 2025 at 13:58 Quote
Looks like the 1994-1996 Kona Humuhumunukunukuapua (longest bike name ever) had straight tubes and was their single speed cruiser option. After that in 97 they went with a more rounded frame design.

1994 was the 1st year of the Custom Kona logo, with a big circled K in the middle, after that up to 96 they had the Regular Custom Kona logos on the Humu up to 97.

KONA CUSTOM
American hand-built quality and dialed-in
component selection.
Every year we add more options in frame sizes,
colors, braze-on options, forks, component groups
and component options. This is our favorite
category and our way of satisfying the most
discriminating rider's needs. We started our
business 8 years ago by providing only customs.
6,000 bikes later, we think we've pretty much
perfected the process.


photo

The Cruisers came with both Kona Custom & Kona Cruiser decals depending on I would assume paint and parts spec. Something as simple as the paint being a non Humu option for that year could receive the "Custom" decal as it was special ordered and built up at Kona HQ rather than being a stock build & color for that year.
flag foojii
Posted: Jun 12, 2025 at 7:02 Quote
Can anyone confirm if I have a ‘94 Kona Kilauea?

It is silver colour and a race light model with marazochi xc shocks.

My understanding is that both race light and mountain shock were options.

Serial number starts with F40…

Thanks!
flag eshew
Posted: Jun 12, 2025 at 10:22 Quote
foojii wrote:
Can anyone confirm if I have a ‘94 Kona Kilauea?

It is silver colour and a race light model with marazochi xc shocks.

My understanding is that both race light and mountain shock were options.

Serial number starts with F40…

Thanks!

Catalogs are here: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/Manufacturer+Archive/Kona/
flag Halle62
Posted: Jun 18, 2025 at 16:18 Quote
Okay, sorry for the delay, and sorry for the terrible pictures. It's been a busy few weeks, and my storage room was hot and I only had a moment to get pictures,

Obviously this isn't some total mystery bike. it's a single speed from the mid 90's, but I for the life of me can't find any documentation about a Kona "One". When I search for kona single speed info, all I find it a "Unit".

Just looking for info on the frame. Seems like it was a nice build a long time ago. Nice vintage carbon parts, quality wheelset, and (I didn't even realize when I bought it) a Ti fork of some type.

Thanks

photo
photo
flag eshew
Posted: Jun 18, 2025 at 23:02 Quote
It's certainly not a catalog bike. Best guess would be a small release for certain stores, custom frame special order.

The little Kona Clump lumpy looking decal points to 2001+, the segmented ti fork is probably a 2000's addition, Kona ti P2's looked completely different. The actual frame decals are 1996-esque.

Could be one of a handful or one of one.

Serial # should point to manufacturer and potentially year. Other option would be to look for the Shimano stamps on various bits to guestimate.
https://vintagecannondale.com/info/shimano/

Although I would guess it's a 2003 Kona Unit frame with custom paint and decals, probably special ordered from Kona as a frame. https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/Manufacturer+Archive/Kona/Catalogues/Kona+Catalogue+2003/2k3_catalog_34-35_final.jpg.html


If you're looking to sell that fork, let me know.
flag Halle62
Posted: Jun 19, 2025 at 21:10 Quote
Thanks for the detailed analysis! I was assuming 95-6 vintage based on what I found online... sounds like maybe that's in question and or there's been some parts swapping? The reason I'm asking is that I'd hate to start swapping parts on it if its an oddball factory bike. This wouldn't be the first rare beast I've literally stumbled across.

"Kona Clump" is the cog decal near the base of the downtube? As I recall that's repeated on the front of the headset too.

I bought it on a whim (dont tell my wife) thinking it might make a good commuter with different tires and a bit of tlc. If I don't keep the fork on it I'll swap it to my other marketplace mongrel (an old voodoo frame I'm building into a drop bar bike). I've never played much with Ti or even singlespeeds and looking forward to it. Kinda the big kid version of my last childhood BMX bike.

Thanks again for the info!
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