Hope I'm not too late to weigh in. I agree with all thats been said but wanted to add that my 54 was converted by one owner to 12 volt. He sold it to someone else who began converting it back. He then had to sell it and guess what I got - a mess. BE SURE TO GO OVER EVERYTHING FROM POINTS AND CONDENSER TO VOLTAGE REGULATOR, STARTER - YOU NAME IT, before you try and jump it. You might just save a few dollars by replacing/rebuilding something instead of frying it.
Good luck!!
