Thanks to both of you for your help. The tell tale is never going to be repaired. The two most difficult jobs on this entire rebuild were fitting the battery box and fitting the fuel tank, although I don't know why.

I was in high dudgeon when I found the battery would not fit but now I have calmed down I think I will hard wire an auto battery and see if I can get the engine to start. That is the job for Thursday.

All the best
DavidP

A big shout out to everyone who helped with my project. I realized that the battery box was a little distorted and once straightened out the battery (only just) slid in. I poured in some fresh gas let it fill and then drained the bowl in case there was any dirt in the tank. Then to my astonishment the thing fired right up. I live on a private road so I was able to take it on a 2 mile shakedown and it looks and sounds great.
I suppose I should go visit the DMV and get a permit now. This is where the fun part of the project starts you see the last time I rode a bike was in 1971 and that was back in my home country of England where they drive on the other side of the road. Also the bikes I drove were typically old Triumphs with the gear shift on the right side.
Anyway once again many thanks I can honestly say that I could not have done it without you. Oh and by the way those three mysterious screws from an earlier post, they look very similar to the screws that hold the indicators to their stalks. I am guessing they have a tendency to unwind and after the heads were mashed they were replaced.
All the best
DavidP