It's funny how one can get lost in the details of the small bits and loose site of the big picture when rebuilding a bike. I think you might be right about the bar tape, but I was getting sick of white, which would have been the obvious choice. None-the-less, that is brand new Cinelli cork. As far as the stem height, the frame geometry of this bike is designed as a more relaxed sport bike, rather than a pure tight race bike like its' cousin the Ironman. So I felt like raising the stem would fit the design. I'm going to put some cheap but new tires on it and lower the stem a bit then repost with new pics.