Should I buy this bike?
 

I found an unadvertised Raleigh Kodiak for sale (very attractive price and in decent condition). It does not fit me, but it would fit my wife - and if she doesn't like it, I could sell it for 2or3 x the asking price. I was travelling when I found it (the seller mentioned it to me when I told him I liked old bikes), and I had no way to get it home. The seller doesn't want to advertise, so it may end up in a yard sale soon.

It is a 180 mile round trip t pick it up, and i have 4 project bikes in various stages. I really want to save it from a yard sale, but I don't need it, and I really don't have much space available for another bike. Should I hope someone who cares finds it, or hop in the car and drive?

You know your bride best, but if that Raleigh is not immaculate and aethetically pleasing, I wouldn't make the effort.

My longest distance to pick up a bike goes like this;

- Wednesdays I attend a group wine tasting, about 50 miles to Ann Arbor.
- Arranged to see a Miyata 912 in my size about 45 miles west of Ann Arbor in Jackson on Wednesday afternoon.
- A screaming deal on a PX10 (I had 2 at the time, and this was a small one with the fancy lugs) emerged on deal about 50 miles west of Jackson.

Each way ended up totaling 145 miles. But the 912 ended being a free bike upon the sale of the PX10 frame, fork, and Simplex seat post. I think I drove the MINI, so only about 9-10 gallons of gas! :)

If someone paid you X dollars right now, would you drive 180 miles and do a bunch of work on their bike? If the answer is no, then don't do it. If yes, then go for it.

I drove 155 miles one way to pick up 2 Merckx bikes. I also drove 140 one way to pick up a Zullo. In both cases it was well worth it because they were bikes I really wanted. If the one you are thinking about is a bike you really want and you plan on keeping it then do it. If it is to resell I sure wouldn't do it.