After crushing my Criterium with my Land Cruiser I felt like throwing the entire mess away as I was so frustrated with myself.
I finally rode it again today, and it worked out rather well.
The bike needed a front rim, a scewer, an axle, handlebars and wrap.
The most time consuming thing was straightening the fork and frame. I don't know how many hrs I put into that. But it rides straight and true and hands off is no problem.
At first I thought the frame was ok but after riding it with another set of wheels I quickly found out it had some quirks.
To bad I ruined my funky NOS Grab On foam grips that made it look so early 80's.
And I learned three new things.
-how to straighten a frame and fork
-how to build a wheel
-and never leave a bike leaning against a vehicle.

And thanks again for the rim cudak888!

Looks great, and I really like that color. Glad it was repairable.

All i have to say is i know how you feel. I went to leave for work and i started my truck up and much to my dismay, my foot slipped right off the clutch and bang. i ran right into my specialized mountain bike. it almost made me cry. i took a quick look at it but i didint have time to get it out of the garage and ride it. im still sick to my stomach but it looked strait. it was leaning against a chair that moved so im hoping that saved it. but it was sickening.

^^^^^^^^^
Thats why I like my BMX bikes, I lost count of how many times I slipped my clutch and ran over them with my old truck. Wasn't a small truck either, Bronco on 38's.

I kept the frame of the Miyata 312 my wife ran over in the barn for three years before I faced facts and took it to the dump.
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Yeah, those housings are pretty long, hehe. Probably by about 8-9 inches per side. You need just enough for the housing to stay straight where they leave the lever. The rear brake housing can usually go under the bars and still be long enough. That is a very nice looking bike though. Love the color!,,,,BD

This is the way it came from the factory!
Nobody said anything the first time I posted pics of this bike.
Yeah, those cables are long. But I am keeping them as they are.
Here is a pic of my original in 1982.

With cables like that you always can shorten them if the fray or freeze up .I could start a new fad "Extreme Cable".But you straightened a fork cool. Ithought I had better not try it but I will give before and after pics of a schwinn caliente.

Does that bike have a triple crank, or am I seeing things? Its kinda funny the model name is "Criterium" as it also comes with "27 inch wheels and relaxed geometry.

Shimano 600 double.
And you are right on about the name. This bike is more about touring than racing. Which is what I used my original for back in the early 80's. It was described to me as a nice parts group on an attractive but plain Raleigh frame.