Originally Posted by
robrpb
With all the changes that will need to be made to get the bike the way I want it, I think it will be better to look for a used bike that is already setup like I want it. What are your thoughts and suggestions about that?
That bike is in very nice shape, and the changes you want to make aren't really that extreme. You don't have to spend $80-$100 for Jones or Soma handlebars, a generic Kalloy would do you just fine for ~$20. Same goes for the stem. Steel and aluminum quill stems are a dime a dozen. Find a co-op or a shop that handles a lot of used bikes. They've probably got a box of take-offs that you could play mix-n-match with.
Find a bar that has a width and sweep that feels good, then see where it fits on your bike, to determine the height and reach of the stem you'll need.
With the style of front brake you have, it'll need a longer cable, but the rest of the cables look to have big enough loops to handle moving a couple of inches higher or wider without too much trouble.
Check out this thread for ideas:
Vintage MTB To Upright Bar / Urban Bike Conversions