If you are going to use it as a touring bike, I would dump the handlebar/stem combo. I had one just like it on a Huffy. It was very heavy, and has no adjustment on the handlebars. You are going to get real tired of one position for your hands, and no adjustment.
You would be much better off with a Nashbar trekking bar, and the appropriate quill stem. It would be much lighter, and infinitely more adjustable.
I did a recent "light" tour on my Trek 950. It worked well.