The answer is simple; Listen to your wife!! She obviously knows what she is talking about. Plus it's a good idea to have her on your side regarding your hobby. Ask me how I know! Once restored, present it to her and then buy another for yourself.

I can trace my original interest in vintage British bicycles back to one Christmas about four years ago when I bought a women's model Robin Hood 3 speed for my wife. Tore it apart, cleaned it up, reassemble it and surprised her with it. That was the first bike in the collection and you can see from my signature it didn't stop there.

I was fortunate to find a pair of matching 1970 folding Twenty's several years ago. Bought the pair for $100. I restored the one in the worst condition and sold it on e-Bay for about $220. I still have the better of the two in my garage waiting for a complete restoration back to its original state.

Here they are: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stl914/...7622590624640/

The Robin Hood: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stl914/...7622060439183/