Ok mike,,, the soarse coil, provides current for the spark,,,,do a continuity test on all wires from stator,,
As for the dash lights, they might be blown,,, A multi meter is a must,,,
Get a compression test, i bet that rear cylinder has a burnt valve, [ popping and banging] its been running lean, [carb needs settup] this would give poor starting,,
Bloody ell newman " you get hours before it sets,,, more if thers polythene below it. i"v seen us go back next day, and throw buckets of water on it , and it will turn up again , then polish it,, did you have a power float,,,