Utility Cycling - My Morgan is now a Clydesdale

The grand dame of my fleet has had hip replacement surgery.
I've had the XtraCycle kit on long enough to know that I like it and it's staying.

A flatbed trailer is more practical but this is more fun. The ride characteristics of the bike were never nimble and the extra length has not changed things too dramatically. She makes big swoopy turns as always. She does bottom out when I take her down the stair now though, have to lift up the back now.
The XtraCycle attaches to the frame by the dropouts and where the kick-stand used to attach.

She is now over seven and a half feet long, and one nice consequence is traffic gives me a hugh birth. Given that I carry camera gear regularly I like that. Not the easiest thing to lock up at the grocery, but I don't worry about locking it to itself. She's a little too big to just carry off.

Well, here she is, The XtraLite.

--A












{Edit--A few new pics, two of it at work}

If you don't mind me asking, how did you attach the front part of the rear fender? My Xtracycle has a drain hole that doesn't go through the other side and is too big for supplied bolts. Some pics would be nice. Thanks!

If you don't mind me asking, how did you attach the front part of the rear fender? My Xtracycle has a drain hole that doesn't go through the other side and is too big for supplied bolts. Some pics would be nice. Thanks!
That drain hole is threaded, and the mounting bolt that came with my fenders worked. It's the same size as the mount holes on my water bottle holder.

I left my camera at the studio (all I brought home with me today was the CF card). I'll post a pic in the morning.

Allen, she's gorgeous. :)

Allen, you rat, you know that I can't get my Big Dummy till August and you are taunting me - she's beautiful.

A totally sanitary modification. Looks like she was designed that way from the start.

Thanks guys,
I wore the dropouts on this bike slap out. My internal hub would slip and kick off the chain, and I hated to trash the frame; the XtraCycle kit seemed like a perfect fix. I now have my grocery getter back, and the electric assist really makes sense carrying the weight I put on this bike.
It does not seem to have effected my battery's range, I'm glad to have her road worthy again.

Gorgeous!

Varnish that snapdeck tomorrow or the next day. Trust me on that one.

Will do, thanks for the tip.

Then you have to post it varnished. Knowing your aesthetic choices, I'm sure it will be even lovelier. :)

That drain hole is threaded, and the mounting bolt that came with my fenders worked. It's the same size as the mount holes on my water bottle holder.

I left my camera at the studio (all I brought home with me today was the CF card). I'll post a pic in the morning.

Thanks! Nice set up BTW! I can't wait till I get my X built up. Feel free to share some car-free adventures.

Great bike. :beer:

i like the 6th picture. it almost looks like is it hauling a canoe. It certainly looks long enought to haul one.

That drain hole is threaded, and the mounting bolt that came with my fenders worked. It's the same size as the mount holes on my water bottle holder.

I left my camera at the studio (all I brought home with me today was the CF card). I'll post a pic in the morning.

That should be a 5mm bolt. I bought a whole box of stainless steel ones just because. Seems to be the industry standard on the newer bikes, for fenders, water bottles and rack mounts.

Aaron:)

All of my riding is either on the hills offroad or country lanes. Might get near a town occasionally on the road but No big towns around where I live.

All of my riding is either on the hills offroad or country lanes. Might get near a town occasionally on the road but No big towns around where I live.
30+ miles to any town of size for me as well. I do a goodly amount of travel on dirt roads. I live a mile in on a dirt road, so I've got to deal with at least 2 miles of it every time I hit the roads and back.

Very nice setup!

I've been considering an Xtracycle/electric build for my wife that I could also ride. The 18" version of the Lite seems to fit the bill if I can find one. A few questions if you don't mind:

What size is yours and who are what is the size range of riders it has accommodated? (i.e. 5'2" - 5'10")
How much weight have you pulled, and did the 250w motor provide enough torque? I'm considering two children @ approx 40lbs + 4 bags of groceries and a 115 - 155 lb rider.
As a last resort, a retailer in Seattle has the step thru frames, but I'm afraid they won't hold up well with the extended wheelbase. Your thoughts?

Thanks

The grand dame of my fleet has had hip replacement surgery.
I've had the XtraCycle kit on long enough to know that I like it and it's staying.

A flatbed trailer is more practical but this is more fun. The ride characteristics of the bike were never nimble and the extra length has not changed things too dramatically. She makes big swoopy turns as always. She does bottom out when I take her down the stair now though, have to lift up the back now.
The XtraCycle attaches to the frame by the dropouts and where the kick-stand used to attach.

She is now over seven and a half feet long, and one nice consequence is traffic gives me a hugh birth. Given that I carry camera gear regularly I like that. Not the easiest thing to lock up at the grocery, but I don't worry about locking it to itself. She's a little too big to just carry off.

Well, here she is, The XtraLite.

--A

Allen,

I used to be in the image business at kodak, a little company that did good for a while.

I do different stuff now. I'm a retired Senior Image Research Scientist, 'nee EE, but I still recognize a good image capture.

I think yours would have passed most of the 'tests'. My opinion is worth the same as my time $0.00/HR. But, so you know, I like your pic'rs.

Don

Very kind, Don, thank you.
My day job is printer/photog.

Nice looking yellow lab there. On one of the pictures I detected the back end of another yellow furry friend, this one of the pantherine varaiety.

Nice looking yellow lab there. On one of the pictures I detected the back end of another yellow furry friend, this one of the pantherine varaiety.


My boy passed recently, after 15 years. The cat belongs to him, and is named #4.

I have a Plump Puma myself.

That looks like a great bike to ride past the gas station on!

I used to ride horses a lot (had my own), but now I ride my bikes instead. My Novara Randonee is my commuter bike and I named it Morgan because it's such a versatile bike. It has flat bars and semi-knobby tires right now, but it could have drop bars and road slicks as well.