I have found the following dodges helpful in keeping my wife from knowing how many bikes I really own or denying that I just acquired a new one....
1." No, that's an old frame, I just put some components from another bike on it"
2. " No, that used to be my red ( or green or blue or whatever) bike. I repainted it."
3. " No, I'm repairing it for someone at work."
4. " No, that bike used to be in the garage. I just moved it to the basement to work on it."
5. "No. I got it in a trade and got $150 to boot."
Dick Howard
Salem, Virginia
USA