Lobo
Again, many thanks. However, since discussing last, I have charged the battery - to 12.6V, tried it again and it started first kick!
Sounds fine enough, so I presume coils are OK?
Does not explain why the battery discharged so rapidly though, nor the "flash" at the points. Just to confirm, what do you mean by the fibre washers and floating switch ref points insulation. It's a good point and I think worth checking out