well, it runs. took the points cover off, weak spark out off one set of points, none out of the other. dressed 'em both with a bit 'o sandpaper followed by a dollar bill. voila, now i have spark up to the plugs.
made a test tank out of an old ketchup bottle (don't try this at home kids), filled the carbs and after a bit of coaxing the old girl fired up.
okay, now to the next step......