MTB Resto-mod - 1997 Kona Lava Dome - 12 speed, dropper post

Thanks for checking out the video!
If you have any questions then please, fire away!
Custom reflectors from: / nekocycles_
Please check these out, they’re amazing 😍
My instagram: / toastyrides
Music by: bensound.com
Chainring from www.stridsland...
Bars are: motozone.co.nz...
WeThePeople Supreme Bmx stem
SimWorks Super Yummy tyres (26x2.2)
Brand-x seatpost: www.chainreact...

[@toastyrides]

Kia Ora people! Helloooo, thanks for checking out the video 😎🙌 huge thanks to everyone for subscribing, insane that I’m now sitting at over 5,000 😵‍💫🤯 There’s some info about the build in the description so please check that first, but happy to answer any questions that aren’t answered there! Thanks heaps and have fun 🤙 Next video is a bit more klunky than this 😎🤙

[@chaosflower4892]

Lavadome was same frame as Cindercone.. was pretty desirable back in 1997...

[@colinbox3472]

We're do you sell your bike

[@johnnydoe66]

This build is a modern example of the original klunkers that started the mtn biking genre....great job!

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! It does have a bit of Klunker in it now 🤙 The next build will be even more Klunky, but 700c! It’s also a bike from the 90’s, Chromoly frame etc Should be fun!

[@reeceh78]

Hard to think of a kona race light as a klunker, these are light as.

[@yardsalecycles]

The best thing about friction shifters is that they work with almost any kind of set up .... great build man

[@toastyrides]

Gotta love ‘em! Friction shifting the 12 speed works awesome! Thanks heaps 🤙

[@daddyshrek2295]

yep! and no need for tedious indexing put a friction shifter on my 1x build because i wanna keep things a simple and low maintenence as possible

[@toastyrides]

@@daddyshrek2295 and on top of that, the feeling is amazing! 😎🤙

[@easyrider75]

Awesome Resto-mod. Love the frame colour. 90’s Kona steel frames just look so right even today. Miss my 90’s purple Lava Dome.

[@toastyrides]

Thanks! Me, too! The green looks amazing in the sunlight. Oh dang, did you sell it?! A purple one would be awesome!!

[@easyrider75]

@@toastyrides yep, sold it and regretted it. A classic case of sellers remorse. Like my Kona Unit 26” wheel that a sold as well a few years back. I’ve got a 29er unit and I like it, but man I miss my 26” version.

[@toastyrides]

@@easyrider75 haha have done that before, I’ll be keeping this unless I find a larger one..maybe 🤔dang, yeah I love my Unit but a 26” or 650b one would be awesome too! 😍

[@sandrogarcia588]

Hello there @Toasty Rides nice channel btw. I just recently purchased a 1995 Kona Lava Dome in purple. Funny coincidence you guys just talked about it!

[@ashpunting]

I love these old bikes and when you get one they mean a lot more to you than buying a brand new mountain bike of the shelves because they are more personal and this is another great example it makes me feel all warm and toasty 🧇👍🏾

[@toastyrides]

Definitely, that sums it up well! You form a bond with it and it’s character dishes out good vibes 😍 haha 🤙❤️

[@ronwhite8503]

I have done hundreds of miles on a Lava Dome that cost me 56 quid (UK). That started something; I now have three Konas (Cinder, Lava, Explosif) and I love 'em!

[@ashpunting]

@@ronwhite8503 I know exactly wot you mean my friend 😊

[@toastyrides]

@@ronwhite8503 that’s quite a trio! 🥳

[@michaelmagee6428]

I'm 65. I've been riding bikes all my life. I'm no pro, or even a racer. For me, bikes are magic. They take some human power to move them. That's a great thing. Better health. They also take you places in a different way than walking. One of the other great things about bikes, and especially this most recent trend of fixing up older bikes, both vintage and more recent (up to the early 2000's) is the enjoyment I get from wrenching on these bikes. Learning about parts, and all the knowledge it takes to build up a bike. I also love the simplicity of the systems of older bikes. I'm sure that electronic shifting and hydraulic brakes have their place, but I love that, with the little bit of knowledge I have for bike wrenching, I am basically completely self sufficient out in the woods, or on the road. There's not much that can completely stop you with older tech if you go out prepared: tubes, pump, tools, extra chain, and a spoke or two. Oh yeah, don't forget a good rain jacket and $100 in your seat/tool pack. Bikes are magic....

[@DIY-DaddyO]

Excellent build. Love the colour. BMX/moto bars on old steel bikes is the way forward. You can tell by the fun you had on the ride. The original low n long arrangement always made the front way to heavy for my liking. More resto vids please…

[@jp93309]

Nice retro Kona color! That chainring and crank bodge was hilarious.

[@bartmullin8018]

Wizard resto-mod(!); Love how you blended ingenuity, personal style, and comfort into an old 26er. Also, was reminded why i like Kiwis, understatement, plus not a ton of ego about self or bike. Nice too that it's not a 'know-it-all' wally grom trying to show how cool they are to their 20-something mates online.

[@fossil-bit8439]

Another awesome build! I would suggest using soap specifically made for washing automobiles. Dish soap (even like Dawn) has detergents that can strip wax and possibly damage top coats/clear coats.

[@agendahell7282]

Your video bought back some memories. Kona was the king of Agility back in the late 90s.

[@nicholasdavidson5683]

I love the retro bikes with original stickers. Nice build :)

[@gregrobertson9957]

Do you think they should be cleared over to preserve, or just buffed/waxed? Getting opinions for a sweet original '88 RockHopper with the 80's neon pink and teal colorways I'm restoring.

[@thehollows]

Great build! Shredding in sandals 🤌🤌🤌Can't wait for the next build!

[@corrado9076]

Sweet build, always wanted a 12 speed conversion on an older bike

[@toastyrides]

Thanks! Yeah they rip, definitely overkill but heaps of fun haha 🙌❤️

[@mattcrane]

@@toastyrides Did you have to cold press the dropouts or is that a special cassette?

[@toastyrides]

@@mattcrane no cold setting and it’s not a special cassette, there are many 12 speed cassettes out there that fit HG freehubs (so will fit any 8/9/10 Shimano speed hub)

[@hunge]

I'm in the slow process of building up a Kona Lava Dome myself. When I first bought it, I turned it into a single speed. This build will be a 1x10, with some nice parts going on it! Can't wait until I finish it.

[@mattharding7649]

Love so much about this. The bike obviously but that toast thing and the fact you’re shredding with the sandals kicks it up even a few more notches!

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! Haha 🙌 the toast reflectors are so cool! I’ve been wearing sandals a lot in this heat 😵‍💫they help!

[@jarvisskooge8602]

When I spray a rust preventative inside the frame, I follow it up by hitting it with an air compressor/air gun… that way I get it in all the nooks and crannies. Great build.

[@ashpunting]

My Gary Fisher e-bike is ready to it the road bro, these old bikes are made to last they look so cool and we've proved that nice wheelie brother 😀 😎

[@Cade_Bouta]

Such a sick build and video! I’m learning a lot from you too!

[@MonkeyShred]

Tange? Oh Adam.... ;) That green came up beautifully. Nice work! Cool little hack for those shifters too to get them running 12 speed! 12 frickin speed. Damn!

[@toastyrides]

Hahahaha love it 😂 It sure did!! Love how it pops in the sun 😍 thanks! I was hoping they’d just work but I was expecting to run into issues with the Sram pull ratio 😅 the gearing is insane 😵‍💫

[@andreasdahl717]

yheaaa! Tnx fot the thumbshift trick! That makes so much sense. Sweet ride!

[@darcysnell6243]

Epic! 👏 Awesome build and great to see that derailleur back in action 😁

[@toastyrides]

It’s ripping! Thanks heaps for the derailleur 😎🙌

[@franka.gundersen3177]

Thank you for yet another great video 😉👍

[@toastyrides]

Thanks for checking it out, glad you enjoy it! 🎉

[@ondrejmanych5688]

thats just so much more satisfying than watching new bikes being built, haha ! Love Konas! I have 2021 Lava dome, maybe one day it will be a classic like this one heh

[@toastyrides]

Haha I think so, too! I’m loving this Kona build 😍🥳 Ooh nice!!

[@marioagbuya920]

I love the simplicity of your bike.good job. thanks for sharing.GOD bless.KEEP SAFE.

[@FEDzerzhinsky]

Yup. Great bike. Bought it new in 1997 or 98. Still have it and love it.

[@adammoonface]

Lovely bike mate! They had a habit of cracking where the down tube and head tube meet, so take it easy!

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! 🙌 yeah I’ve heard about that haha, I’m over 100kg too but I hope this one survives some abuse 🤞😂

[@glennpettersson9002]

The gearing is insane mountain goat ratios nothing could hold you back and the work arounds are really impressive👍Thanks for sharing.

[@woodywong76]

I'd like to thank you for spending the time to talk about the cleaning products that you use before adding the new components back to the frame. As a bike restoration learner, I find that nearly all youtube bike videos tend to skip talking about that part as if it is a given that the audience should already know it or that it isn't that important. Instead of just showing the stuff being sprayed on, you actually detail this important step.

[@christiankilleen7626]

Dude! 😂 When you "slapped the tyre on" I was drinking coffee, didn't expect it and it scared the shit out of me. I spilled coffee everywhere. 😆 Great video mate.

[@67spankadelik]

I have a 99 Gary Fisher Wahoo I'm thinking about doing this to. Destroyed the wheels about 12 years ago and it's been sitting in my garage ever since. Currently looking for some decent v-brake Wheels. Preferably machine side black or gray. Great build! Love it!

[@toastyrides]

Oh woah, hope you find some nice wheels for it soon! That’ll be a cool build 🤩🤙

[@fanzybikes]

Stem & Handlebar combo is so powerful!

[@nicholasdavidson5683]

That "slapped the tires on" part was great

[@ashpunting]

I bought the gary fisher big sur and everything works very well even the suspension.

[@toastyrides]

Nice! Awesome find 😎🤙

[@bosanderspublictheology]

The first 10 min were a very nice watch! Thank you. I realized however that you are a wizard and that I can't really copy of this stuff that you do :)

[@toastyrides]

Haha thank you!! I hope you can too become a wizard one day!!

[@dazzasp3]

What a lovely build 👍

[@toastyrides]

Thank you!

[@marchanselman]

Open toed riding... nice! Super sweet build BTW!

[@michaelmagee6428]

Nice build. Thanks for sharing.

[@nekobx2094]

I just got this frame for a build!!! thank you this is awesome

[@toastyrides]

Ooh cool find, tis a lovely frame!! Enjoy 🤙 glad you liked the video!

[@timfreeman2603]

I just finished an alloy Kona Cinder Cone, put a Nexus hub and converted from disc to V brakes. Lots of BMX parts including Cult X Vans tyres.

[@-T90Vladimir]

Do you ride offroad with the Nexus? If yes, how does it ride? Does it work properly? I was thinking of doing a build with hub gears, but I am hesitant to pull the trigger on a hub, they are damn expensive.

[@toastyrides]

Ooh nice!!! Sounds like a sweet setup. I’m doing a Nexus build on my next bike! It’s a GT Slipstream, basically an old Hybrid/cruiser but still triple triangle and it’s 700c with lots of tyre clearance 😎🙌

[@timfreeman2603]

@@-T90Vladimir I haven’t ridden this one off road it’s more of a beach pavement cruiser.

[@reeceholmes8546]

very nice build, lovely colour too, hours of fun, thanks man

[@ramskrall]

Lovely build on probably one of the best retro steel frame and fork combo that came out of the 90s, really loving the thumb shifter, I’m a fan myself they work well with almost all gear set ups. Great vid thanks 👍

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! It really is an amazing frame and fork, handles so well 🙌 Definitely a huge fan of thumb shifters ❤️ it feels great even on the 12 speed! Cool that you liked the video 🥳

[@newoldsteel]

Glad I could make your Like count hit 1000! Loved the video the bike looks so sick! :D

[@burundi8909]

another great option for lubricant and rust proofing is lanolin spray ...lasts ages i use it for chains , cable wire etc a tiny bit goes along way all natural and non toxic....lanox

[@toastyrides]

That’s good stuff I’ve heard, too!! 🙌 I know someone who’s been using it for a looong time with good results 🤙

[@brendonoid6133]

I have used lanox heavy duty almost exclusively for the last decade and it is just so good for everything. Cleans all the grease off your hands in seconds too.

[@houseofsolomon2440]

I have an early 90's Reynolds 853 stainless frame with a very similar metallic/'candy' green & looks great. Made it 1x7, 2.25' tires, bmx bars & blocky GT stem. Cheers - 🍻

[@levibradley9170]

that was a nice kona custom build, it turned out mint and that seat post was sweet az i did not even no they exist i may have to buy one my self they are flash .. as always toasty great video keep up the good work mate

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! These seatposts are awesome, I use mine all the time haha. Even through the city, it’s nice to drop the seat at lights and things Thank you, will do! 😎🤙

[@draggonhedd]

Man you get some cool frames and you have some really cool parts just laying around. I'd have a hell of a time just hanging around and building bikes with a stash like that.

[@tommyr95]

Adam, you need to sell "thumbs up" decals of some sort! Maybe "Bikes are fun as....", too! I'd buy some. :)

[@burundi8909]

learn a lot of your videos , good 6 speed shifter to 12 speed conversion !

[@toastyrides]

That’s cool to hear 😎 sure is, works flawlessly 🥳

[@jamesdarge]

An awesome bike in 'the flesh' Thanks for the early preview!

[@toastyrides]

Thanks heaps, James! Haha you’re welcome, anytime! 🙌

[@wenlongdu241]

This is a cool build! thanks for sharing!

[@rubythroat2258]

That looks like it would be a really smooth ride

[@hermittranslator]

Proof that cr-mo 90s MTBs will outlive us, right here Sick build, I kinda wish I had an unused top tube cable stop on my upcoming Marin Bear Valley '94 restomod to route a dropper post since it's 27.2 - it's probably stupid, especially since that bike is nowhere near as cool as the old Lava Dome, but tbh xbiking is all about stupid ideas

[@jesusescudero9721]

Beautifull work. Congratulations.

[@toastyrides]

Thank you, Jesús! 🤙stoked to have this in my stables now 🥳

[@davidardley2380]

Awesome build and a fantastic colour. Great to see the fun your having riding it as well. I'm building something very similar with a 90s Mongoose frame and forks. Hopefully it will be as much fun to ride as yours 🤞

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! The green sure does look great. Glad you liked the video! Ooh a Mongoose will be sweet 😎 hope it’s a fun build, too! 🥳🙌

[@richardfritz9479]

This is my favorite video. So goood!!!

[@layspeed]

I'm surprised that 27.2 dropper post fit, I thought most of the older Kona's were 26.8 or 27.0mm seat tubes. Such a great build. I put together a Kilaeua for myself and a Fire Mountain for my wife last year. They're such fun rides!

[@ericl6460]

I saw some dude on some bike forums that sanded his 27.2 dropper until it fit 😂

[@layspeed]

@@ericl6460 I wouldn't be opposed to that idea personally. I feel like that is the better option over reaming out the seat tube which would make that part a bit weaker.

[@denialsweeney5554]

Great build and fantastic video format. Subbed

[@XianEricXPROD]

Nice ridin Toast.

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! 🤙

[@lonerbikes]

This is motorbike handlebar ?

[@toastyrides]

It is, yes! 22.2 (or 7/8”) diameter to match to the Bmx clamp diameter

[@IliaFomin-k2s]

I also have a Lava Dome in more greeny green colour all stock. fun thing

[@LexGrossman]

Really fantastic job editing and creating the videos! I’ve done a couple rebuilds myself and look forward to saving a few more vintage bikes. I’m curious on why you don’t replace the bearings with new loose bearings and grease, as opposed to cleaning the caged bearings and reusing?

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! Sounds great, saving the old bikes is worth the effort 😎🤙 If you’re talking about the headset I think I mentioned I just didn’t have any, I didn’t order fresh ones because I thought I had some but it turned out these were the nicest haha. I don’t always use loose ball setups, but they definitely work better! As for the hubs, I sometimes do but don’t always mention it. This time around I had tidy spares so didn’t need to 🤙

[@diyjeff1838]

Thats sweet. I have a 96 lava dome. Its a copper color. I need to redo it.

[@charleshill6364]

I have a 1995 Gary Fisher Marlin and looks like the same color as yours. Just ordered 1.75 street tires to replace the 2.10 knobby tires.

[@GRAAmusic]

sick build. great vid

[@2hiperkemanci]

Awesome! Could you please make a separate video about how to convert an XT 7 speed shifter to the 12 speed?

[@toastyrides]

Thank you 🤙A thumb shifter? I could do!

[@2hiperkemanci]

@@toastyrides yes please thank you! it’s amazing to see a vintage thumb shifter on a bike with modern parts. I’m looking forward

[@wk4max]

you inspired me to do the same with a soecilized rockhopper 93

[@chad3180]

Great build mate. I’m looking at something similar frame wise but not sure on sizing. What is the size of that frame and how tall are you for comparison?

[@James-gx7sk]

I had a similar issue with a rear XT M756 hub. I found that the cups and cones in the M525 deore hub are identical and I was able to beat the cups out of each and press the harvested cup into the XT hub shell.

[@ozenfant_ozn]

sweet!

[@ashpunting]

I'm going to get a bmx stem clamp and change the handlebars and grips and my be the get a suspension seat post 😄👍🏾

[@toastyrides]

That’ll be awesome on that bike! 😍 have fun 😎🤙

[@giantpedro]

Love it, very detailed description as well! Where can we get "toasty rides" stem caps? 😎

[@csm101000]

Sorry what size is your frame?

[@simonorr594]

My top tip for getting old cranksets to look good and match the chain line - put a cyclocross chain/bash guard on the outer side of the spider arm, and the chainring on the inside. looks great and you don't get yer trousers oily. Am currently looking for a bicycle gun holster for my White Trash restomod build - any ideas?

[@adrianvalella6854]

pull ratio doesnt matter on a friction set up. you just need enough total cable pull from end to end

[@toastyrides]

That’s a funny statement, it doesn’t matter but it is the reason why I had to modify the shifter to pull more cable.

[@thadude9013]

could you find a similar style frame but with a 28 inch wheelbase? I know they are rare, but for size it’d be rad. Maybe use a steel frame roadbike? Put a different fork on there, add mtb bars…

[@toastyrides]

The next bike is a steel 700c with a cool look to it, so should be fun! Unfortunately even the old 28” bikes tend to have a short toptube, to run long dropbars and stems. 😖 I have a few cool road bike creations coming up, too!

[@danielnascimento6945]

Rapaz, que lugar top e que projeto simples e genial!

[@DevSkate021]

hey and hey, I really liked your videos I wanted to know the name of the specific model of this handlebar, as I've seen it in some videos on KZbin, and I want to buy one for my bike. anxious for an answer. I am from Brazil ... thanks

[@sylvainguidi]

those strickland narrowwide BCD 94-96 5 arms chainrings are pretty sold out and pretty much sought after....

[@matt_squires_og]

Hi - do you reckon 26 x 2.30 tyres look alright on the early 90'2 skinny frames, not to fat?. Im thinking of putting DTH's on my 94' diamondback. 26 tan walls are hard to get in NZ at the moment!.

[@toastyrides]

Hey! Yeah I do love wide tyres, but it’s all personal taste. The ones in the video are 2.2~ and look great. I have 2.3 DTH’s on some bikes but they don’t always fit haha. You could always go for the skinnier 2.15 DTH’s if you are worried about clearance. (for reference the 2.3 dth measures roughly 53-54mm high from the rim and ~56mm wide, widest point is roughly 40mm above the rim. This varies a little, with different rims)

[@illustrioustexts5060]

super fantastic

[@vitormalta]

SRAM SX😍🤘

[@nicholasdavidson5683]

I want to add a dropper post to my 93/94 gt. But its 26.8mm or so. I thought maybe i could insert the pole inside a dropper post and get it slitted and use a clamp or weld it. It will probably be too high.

[@myvicariouslife4012]

Where'd u source good cones? Or did u refurbish them? I know wheels manufacturing sells new but at $10 per cone nut I'm hesitant.

[@connorcampbell144]

Awesome build, did you have to do anything with the rear wheel to get it to fit a 12 speed on a 135mm back end?

[@toastyrides]

Thanks! Nothing at all, the 12 speed Sram HG cassettes (and some HG splined Sunrace etc) fit directly onto 8/9/10 speed freehubs (I’m using 9 speed XT or Deore wheels, can’t remember which). The largest cog is sort of offset/cantilevered so it sits off the back edge of the freehub. Pretty smart design, really!

[@connorcampbell144]

@@toastyrides oh thanks I thought it was more complex, so I’d be able to do it with my older konas

[@josienothanksmr.officer4031]

i run a shimano friction shifter with a deore whatever 11s derailleur and i had to do basically the same mod as you, but also i have a wide range 8 speed cassette not the spec correct 10 or 11s

[@gregrobertson9957]

You're heavy like I am (230 lbs) which dropper are you using?

[@TechGamer-yh6mh]

whered you got those crank bolts that self extract

[@spacejamgoliath]

Dish washing liquid can actually soften paint sometimes just fyi

[@ripp3rjak934]

I recently purchased a 1998 cinder cone for 100. Swapped out the front fork with bomber forks and wider bars with those bbmx stem. So now I have front disk brakes an rear rim brakes lol. But was 100 a fair deal? I’m slightly suffering from buyers remorse.

[@toastyrides]

Ooh good find! Yeah I’d say so, the market varies so much based on location but I’d say wherever you are that a $100 Kona would be a good buy 👌 They ride nicely and have a decent following, the mid to late 90’s ones have cool decals too! Sounds like a sweet setup with bombers 🫡

[@ripp3rjak934]

​@toastyrides It was 100 CAD what do you say about the market for Canadian dollars for these kind of vintage

[@nicholasdavidson5683]

I really want se bikes big honkin bars. Motorbike bars are a cheap way to get around it :)

[@MOSSFEEN]

Hey Jesus wants his shoes back Sweet

[@FlyingSpaghettiMonster2000]

Spd-flip flops. Cool

[@OliveMule]

Woah that's dope

[@IMJOHNBATAN]

wow

[@jurassicchrist]

Can I ask what bars they are? I'm in nz and have been searching for moto bars but can't find any like this. Thanks

[@toastyrides]

Hey, here’s a link for them! www.moto1.nz/products/412-029

[@jurassicchrist]

@@toastyrides thanks so much. Will be going on the 91 Timberline

[@arrbu147]

Nice bike 👍

[@borapora]

Super neat!

[@tonypotter9578]

Love this, what size chain ring did you go for?

[@BELTproductioon]

hello there, nice video! curious to know where you find your 94BCD crank set :)

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! It’s an old Deore XT crankset, fc-m737

[@BELTproductioon]

@@toastyrides sorry i was asking for the chainring not the crank set. thx !

[@urielbazan9903]

Como se llama ese llavero q va abajo del aciento?