Originally Posted by kerk
As I was out riding, I realized that I have an extra randonneur handlebar at home. It's an old one from the 70's so I don't know the diameter right off. Do todays threadless stems fit older handlebars? I know the one I have won't, but maybe I could just get a new stem? And then the paint idea sounds pretty good!
Stem selection is determined by the bar clamp diameter and the steerer tube diameter. Whether old bars will work with any particular stem depends upon the bar clamp diameter. Sometimes, you can shim a larger stem to fit a smaller bar.