Look Mi80. Canadian wish fulfilment

NorthOfHere

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An unintentional purchase about a year ago. In the meantime, over numerous visits to the loft, I've developed an affection for this frame and fork.

What to do about it... create another unfinished project, to add to the 3 (or is it 4?), that are paving my own personal road to hell in the corner of my workspace?

I was going to give it away, but something suggested I might not find another, and could turn into regret. Then, a while back, I brought it down from the loft, and stared at it for a week. Screenshot_20251128_182826_Gallery.webp As you can see, it's not exactly pristine. The paint is not in great shape - the other side is much worse - but it's a quality frame with a nice 'ping' and a Ritchey Logic Prestige fork.

I can remember the Look bikes from back in the day and I liked them, especially the white one, even though it wasn't the 'best' one. I had no idea they were Canadian. I like Canadia!

I like the colour, but It desperately needs tidying up - there's patina and then there's patina. It's not going to be painted though.

That said, believe it or not, I've already spent 3-4 hours t-cutting it. I've run Fertan all around the inside of the tubes, hence brown trails from the drain holes and cable guides. There was a worrying rust death rattle when I started cleaning it. Fortunately it turns out the tubes are sound.

I'm struggling to find a colour match, although Peugeot pearlescent white isn't a million miles away.

Also, I've been slowly acquiring this lot, with some serious prevaricating in choosing between this and another frame... This is the only frame with a 31.8mm seat tube I've ever owned... and a 31.8mm front derailleur arrived a couple of days ago. Clearly I'd made a decision. Screenshot_20251128_184029_Gallery.webp Screenshot_20251128_184048_Gallery.webp Screenshot_20251128_184103_Gallery.webp Screenshot_20251128_184121_Gallery.webp This is my favourite part... Screenshot_20251128_184138_Gallery.webp I spent hours getting the headset tidied up. It was in a shocking state when I removed it from another frame and I thought it was ruined. Screenshot_20251128_191017_Gallery.webp Screenshot_20251129_221257_Gallery.webp but testament to its quality the bearings are still smooth. Screenshot_20251128_191039_Gallery.webp It's difficult to convey just how satisfying it was fettling this back to a usable state. Throughout I clung on to the hope that it wouldn't be a waste of time... it wasn't.

This is going to be slow but, unlike a couple of the other incomplete projects sitting idle over there, this one, I'm heavily invested in, and I’ve no idea why.

After I find a close paint match, assembly will follow. In the meantime, as you can see from the components, there is much fettling to do. E.g. The brake levers have already been touched up.

I'm hoping to have all the parts cleaned up before new year.

Even though it's more work than I usually take on, I might actually finish this one.
 
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