Ok, how do i....

Figure out the diameter of my stem? Im looking to buy new bars but i dont know what size to get? :( advice?

name your stem / show the stem

Everyone needs verniers and the ability to read them properly. Best measuring tool out there. Tons of other things to measure with where I work but go for them 9 times out of 10..

If you haven't got calipers, measure the circumference (accurately) with a piece of string and divide by pi which is 3.14.

if it's a quill it's probably 25.4

Unless it's not of course...

Broad "rule of thumb":

• English and Japanese: 25.4mm;
  
• Italian: 26.0mm, except earlier Cinelli which are 26.4mm.
  
  

What are your current bars?

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Sorry for the shitty phone pics. Never buy htc again...

Dunno the manufacturer but it has sr stamped on the side. Mean anything? :s

Sakae Ringyo

Lots of catalogue scans here
http://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=58555

and if you really want to get confused scroll down to stem on sheldon browns site
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_st-z.html

Jeez guys, how do you know all of this stuff. Im defo having you as my phone a friend on who wants to be a millionaire! Thanks everyone. I think im just gonna have to measure it and then eat some pie.

25.4 would be my bet, but measuring is the only way to be sure.
The only other trick I could suggest would be to loosen the stem front bolt and wiggle the handlebars to one side slightly, as they sometimes have the size stamped right in the middle, which of course is hidden by the stem clamp. warning 1: they may not. warning 2: the wiggling and jiggling may scratch your bars.

Any more bets? Drum roll please........

If you buy smaller size bars you can always shim.

And, of course, the other way with an inverse shim, although these are getting hard to come by.

Inverse shim = hens teeth

long wait?