Every thing that Hot Rod posted about the charging system and the battery is good stuff. About the starter...it was the OP first question, I might have missed something( I do often). So here I go...2 bolts a cotter key and a cable are all that you need to get the starter out. Not much tougher than the battery. Get it on the bench and look at it. Pull the snap cover off, are the brushes good(hint: 1/4 inch left is not good). While the cover is off, turn the starter. Can the armature move? Around is good, back and forth, not so much, and, up down is not good( worn bushings). Is the commutator clean? Smooth? Shiny? No? It is 60 years old get it refinished. Look at the windings on the armature. Any signs it has burned, got hot or has broken wires? Get it refurbished. For those brave folks, 2 more bolts will let you take it apart. Some rubber bands will hold the brushes up or you can take the holders out(a couple of screws). It is a simple assembly so don't be afraid of it.Clean and inspect. Look at the field magnets. Rubbing(shiny spots)? Bushings are gone. Look at the wires, crumbly insulation? Time to get it refurbished. No spring cover? It will have dirt(not good) needs to be cleaned. Find a cover for it. Shorted starter is not common, open is. A good look at the switch(again 2 screws) will tell you a lot. Cardboard insulator..is it good or crumbled? Switch is not expensive. Look at the bendix(sliding gear part) still have teeth? are they chewed up? You get the drill. Look at the link that moves the bendix. Is it bent? Still have 2 round feet that engage the bendix. This is all covered in the manual, and none of it is hard to do.
