Got this tonight for cheap on the local cl......has typical scratches for the age, but chromoly frame is real straight with no dents or dings.......26"er......think I might go solid forks on the front, and then build it up with decent used components.

Suggestions, tips, ideas? Am still trying to determine the year on this frame.


DSC_3720 by KMTech, on Flickr


DSC_3719 by KMTech, on Flickr

If you are planning to pair a rigid fork with that frame, I suggest something with tubular, hollow legs and maybe even something butted. A solid steel fork would weigh a lot and would be much stronger than necessary.

As for the year, Bikepedia is my go-to source. Happy hunting.

My bad....by solid fork, I did mean a good butted chromoly fork, not an actual solid hunk.....lol. Still am debating on going with a suspension fork.....not sure if I would use it enough to justify the extra cost....

Looks like it might be a 2001, just from the lettering and cable routing, and they did still make a chromoly frame then. The Hahana in 2001 looks just like it......but no Kilauea for that year. But the looks certainly match up, especially the decals/cable routing. Hopefully I will eventually get a response from Kona about it.

I don't see a disc brake mount on the back. I'd save some $$$ and just put V's there and a disc on the front. If you use mechanical disc, you can use the same lever set for both. Seriously nice frame. I've got a 98 Hahanna that I picked up to flip. I just can't bring myself to sell it.

Yea, I was going to use vbrakes front and back for now. Was going to build it up with the hodge podge of parts that I currently have.....going to definitely be a frankenbike to begin with.....chromoly front mtb fork, compact hollowtech crank with 105 derailleurs(yea, I know...very frankenish), and then some decent used wheels....straight bars with decent used quickfire shifters. And then as time progresses, will pick up used parts where I can to get it back closer to original, with a deore xt drivetrain and triple crankset(xt). Have been keeping my eyes open for some nice used Marzocchi Bomber forks, as it sounds like the Kilauea came with those. I will ride mostly on street and light dirt until I get it transformed back to the mtb that it once was(with some improvements). It will be a fun long term project bike. Got it for dirt cheap, so there will be hardly any money into it to begin with, since I will be using parts that I already have lying around.

After sending more pics, just got confirmation back from Kona that it is indeed a 2001 that has been repainted. Original came in silver with a white head tube and glow in the dark accents on the decals. I think I can understand why the original owner repainted it.....lol. I prefer the blue color.

Everything I have read so far, as well as owner reviews like yours, have said it's a really nice frame, so am really looking forward to riding it!

And man, the people at Kona sure were nice and very helpful with all my questions!

Got all the parts for the bike.....some thru the local craigslist, some thru ebay, some thru friends......coming in for the build.......will have xt gear all over it, 9 speed, 2008 marzocchi bomber mz supercomp shocks to begin with(have chromoly forks for it, too), mavic 217 rims with city tires(have dirt tires for it, too), and xt vbrakes with koolstops. I will post pics here of it after I have the build done.....am excited to build it!

Got it built.....may need to cut down the bars some.....probably replace the pedals, as the ones currently on the bike were ones I had in a parts box. Xt gear all over, marzocchi bomber mz supercomp forks, michelin city tires(also have a nice pair of off road tires), 9 speed rear, xt hubs, mavic 217 wheels.


DSC_5266 by KMTech, on Flickr


DSC_5263 by KMTech, on Flickr


DSC_5268 by KMTech, on Flickr


DSC_5265 by KMTech, on Flickr


DSC_5264 by KMTech, on Flickr