Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,786
Likes: 349
From: Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Bikes: 48 Automoto, 49 Stallard, 50 Rotrax, 62 Jack Taylor, 67 Atala, 68 Lejeune, 72-74-75 Motobecanes, 73 RIH, 71 Zieleman, 74 Raleigh, 78 Windsor, 83 Messina (Villata), 84 Brazzo (Losa), 85 Davidson, 90 Diamondback, 92 Kestrel
+1 on slick street tires.
Drop bars will put you in a much more efficient riding position for longer distances.
Don't spend any more money than that on that bike. It's a nice bike but you'll never turn it into a lightweight road bike. If your street surfaces are good enough to use narrower tires you could get some type of road bike, which will have a lighter and faster frame.