THANKS ALL! I'm learning a lot here. I am currently winning a bid on a "Nitto Technomic" stem but unless i up my max bid i know i'll lose the auction before tis over. (its a 70mm i believe?) I'll ask here since i have a thread going- how do i adjust the height of my existing stem? (if no one here wants to go into it i'll go ask in the 'Mechanics' forum) and not only adjust it but how do i know how far i can pull it up safely? I'm going to see if i can find new brake pads today. also i will adjust the seat to a more level position.

Thanks for all the help.
-HandsomeRyan