Hate to sound so cheap, but I convinced myself I need a touring bike and I could get the job done with a used bke for now. I looked for what seems forever never either finding one or if I did realizing it was the wrong size. I stopped at a yard sale in an affluent neighborhood and there sat a trek 620 in what looked to me to be like new condition perfect in every way. The standover height is barely acceptable and I know that it is way too big that way.Owner,s daughter did not know size but I rode it around block and it felt good. For fifty bucks I thoughtI could flip it or trade so I bought it.
I compared it to my road bike that is my size and found that if I lowered the seat to it's lowest setting and changed the stem I could get the measurements in relation to my other bike the same except for the standover height(I can still standover the bike it just presses up tight)

What am I missing or is it true that one can take a bike that would never really be considered your size and make it work with a stem change. It feels right so I had the old Maillard hubs and wheels upgraded. If this is the wrong area to post let meknow, but because I am considering doing some real touring I wanted to know if if there my choice is flawed.