wicked wrenching customs
2002 Kona Kula Supreme
This was another unplanned build. I was browsing the local classifieds one weekend when this Kona appeared cheap and cheerful. It was desperately in need of a refurb- the paint was badly faded and bubbling, decals peeling and components were dirty and worn. I figured it would be a good flip if I could keep the budget low, and the bike was only a couple kilometres from me so I went round and bought it before someone else did. The images below are how it was when purchased.
I had also just recently moved back to Australia, and was yet to build a proper workshop- so there were some limitations on what I could do. Painting was out of the question, so I figured the next best thing would be to simply strip and polish. Once the frame was bare I found some decals online that were from earlier model Konas, it wasn't 'catalog correct' but I didn't mind. I preferred the font and colour of the ones I had found over the proper ones anyway. The model name wasn't correct either- it changed from a Kula Supreme to a Kilauea! But again I figured this wasn't out to win any restoration accolades so a bit of artistic license was ok.
Compiling new components was easy. I had a complete Deore XT 760 group pulled from another bike that i had no plans for, so it was used. The forks were the first generation Fox Float series, and they desperately needed a service. It had lost oil in the damper so the rebound and compression/lockout controls were non functional. I serviced the forks and while doing so decided to use some Racing Bros Edge wipers for it, the original wipers were cracked and dry and the RB wipers were orange which suited the bike perfectly!
I also had some Chris King mango hubs that were used for some of the photos, but I knew they would probably put the pricing out of reach for my intended market so I went back to XT hubs. Eventually a complete XTR M960 group came my way and that went on the bike just before it sold. It was bought and delivered to a customer who lived just south of the border near Byron Bay. He really liked it and I was happy that my first flip back in Australia was a success!
