This is a reply to all who were kind enough to think about my post and especially those who sent a suggestion.
Problem solved!
Wasn't the battery or the charger or the oil or the fuel pump.
It was just taking too long for gas to get to the carb.
Thought about spraying some starter helper - but didn't. Figured the best way to see if everything was working as it should was to jump start it with a second battery in parallel. That's what I did and it took a while but once the gas got to the carb, it started right up. Shut it down and went back a couple of hours later. Started right away. I'll wait a few days and try it again but I think everything is OK.
When I start it the next time and assuming the weather will be OK, I'll go for a ten mile ride and try to get to the bottom of the rattling noise in my engine at around 2500RPM. Listened today with a stethoscope and the tappets are making a lot of different noises. Some are much louder than others. Could be bent pushrods or a lifter / cam Problem. Compression and oil pressure are super (hot or cold) so I'm hoping it's a pushrod or valve adjustment.
Thanks to All
