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In my past builds, I never seem to take pictures of any of the actual build process. This go around with building up another Kappa K26, I thought I would take pictures along the way and post them, since we all love pictures.

The Beginning:

I searched for a while and no one had a K26 for sale, I finally found this one on ebay, for a steal. It didn't have Kappa forks but I picked it up anyway. All the parts were sold off except the frame, since I didn't need/want them.

After placing a wanted ad here on the museum, a set of forks finally showed up. They were raw and needed some love on the dropouts but were just what I needed.

Since all the parts were gone, all I had to do was peel off the decals and get it ready to send off for chrome.

Stage 1

It arrived back from the chrome shop last week. St. Louis Plating did an amazing job. The picture doesn't do it justice. As soon as it arrived, I unpacked it, and slapped it on a table for a shot. It was cold and full of my fingerprints from looking it over, but you get the idea.

I am pretty sure there were only two original chrome Kappa K26's that came from Scott. I chased both of them for a while but never had the funds when they changed hands.

Stay tuned, as there is more to come, I made up some custom decals and have been stock piling parts.

NewMidMike · 2013-01-02 4:08pm

Looking forward to it, I just got a K-24 and am deciding on what to do with it.

13thoni · 2013-01-02 4:16pm

nice! if you get a lead on a kappa disc.. lmk!!! i have a set of kappa cranks that really need a kappa disc..
your ride is going to look rad! what you doing as far as parts??

linear · 2013-01-02 6:28pm

WOW that looks amazing!

I have a K24 that I am doing now in white. I already want another, next one will be chrome!

Thx for sharing!

mikestevens · 2013-01-02 6:34pm

NewMidMike wrote:
Looking forward to it, I just got a K-24 and am deciding on what to do with it.

You should build up that new white K24 you just picked up off of skinsfan. I was about a minute away from calling dibs when you snagged it. It is a sick frame! If you ever get tired of it, let me know

For parts, here is what i have so far:

Headset: Chris King
Stem: I have a chrome Pro Neck or a ESP Throwback cant decide which one to use
Bars: Powerlite Cruiser
Grips: Oakley B-1 Reissue
Brakes: Paul Motolites
Seat Clamp: Kappa Donut
Seat: Kashimax Aero Suede in black
Hubs: Phil Annihilator II's
Freewheel: White Industries Eno
Rims: Pro Class
Cranks: Profile Retro w/tuf neck ring
BB: Profile

I still need to get the rims anodized or powder coated, so that might slow up the build. I will post more pictures tomorrow as I have the headset and decals on.

NewMidMike · 2013-01-02 6:39pm

2 white K-24s out there huh? Hmmm, I dunno. I may have to do something about that.

theflowrider · 2013-01-02 7:35pm

linear · 2013-01-02 7:44pm

So you are the one that grabbed that white K24 from skins fan.

I was too late to the party, I wanted that one also! LOL

linear · 2013-01-02 7:46pm

Out of curiosity. What did it cost to have the frame and fork chromed?

It looks great!

maytag528 · 2013-01-02 7:53pm

Looks awesome in chrome, can't wait to see it. I have the 24" version of that frame. Kappas are great frame set which I would of bought more of them when i had the chance.

mikestevens · 2013-01-03 7:32am

linear wrote:
Out of curiosity. What did it cost to have the frame and fork chromed?

It looks great!

For the frame/fork it was only $225. Pretty great price and quality!

mikestevens · 2013-01-03 7:44am

Here are some pics of last nights progress:

Here are the custom decals I made up. I figured Kappa was always a modern tribute to Hutch so might as well make it look a bit more authentic.

And some pics with them applied:

Had to put it next to the real thing just for fun:

NewMidMike · 2013-01-03 7:50am

those holes in the dropouts are interesting...I don't have those

mikestevens · 2013-01-03 7:58am

NewMidMike wrote:
those holes in the dropouts are interesting...I don't have those

yeah, my other K26 has them as well. I don't know if it was just a 26" thing.

maytag528 · 2013-01-03 9:26am

I have a 24" and it looks exactly as your 26" and it has the holes on the rear drops and the serial tag by the bottom bracket as well.

NewMidMike · 2013-01-03 12:03pm

...interesting

NewMidMike · 2013-01-03 12:07pm

is yours a KZ-24? I don't have the plate either. Mine is an 03.

mikestevens · 2013-01-03 1:09pm

From what I have seen Scott made more that a few subtle changes to the frames between 03 and 05. The biggest difference for me was the switch to the "Judge" Style top tube in 05. The 03's top tube stays pretty much the same shape all the way back.

NewMidMike · 2013-01-03 1:27pm

my top tube tapers in quite a bit at the seat tube...the seatstays aren't off-set like you see on Judges however

linear · 2013-01-03 5:14pm

Mike, this build is amazing! Beautiful work, love the decals!

My Kappa 24 has the same drop outs with the holes in them. Also has the tapered top tube.

Keep up the good work!

mikestevens · 2013-01-10 7:50am

Slowly chugging along on this one.

But I did get a a jump on the wheels, as instead of anodizing the pro classes I had, I managed to pick up a built wheel set running the same Phil hubs that I was going to. I polished up all the silver bits on the Paul brakes to a mirror shine, and got a few things mounted. The cranks should go in this weekend and I should be close to finished.

Here is phase two:

NewMidMike · 2013-01-10 8:41am

those wheels are sweet

skdevore · 2013-01-10 10:57am

Oh My!

FerretCon · 2013-01-10 11:06am

So slick, great job!

84mach1 · 2013-01-10 11:39am

mikestevens wrote:
Here are some pics of last nights progress:

Here are the custom decals I made up. I figured Kappa was always a modern tribute to Hutch so might as well make it look a bit more authentic.

http://www.mikeastevens.com/BMX/kappa/IMG_0618.jpg

And some pics with them applied:

http://www.mikeastevens.com/BMX/kappa/IMG_0630.JPG

http://www.mikeastevens.com/BMX/kappa/IMG_0631.JPG

http://www.mikeastevens.com/BMX/kappa/IMG_0632.JPG

http://www.mikeastevens.com/BMX/kappa/IMG_0633.jpg

http://www.mikeastevens.com/BMX/kappa/IMG_0615.jpg

Had to put it next to the real thing just for fun:

http://www.mikeastevens.com/BMX/kappa/IMG_0614.JPG

Nice stickers! You made them yourself? I was looking for someone to make stickers just like these for my Kappa K20 using same western Hutch font, etc.

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