I realise that this wont be much help to you, but if you have a multimeter check the battery voltage after the machine has stood for a while (Look for around 12v) then start up and check again - this time look for around 14v. This will tell you if any alternator output is reaching the battery. I don't know what sort of charging system this machine has - it could simply be a simple single diode (that looks like a bullet connector - in a plastic tube) or it could have a fully rectified system. These systems tend to be fairly robust though and poor connections are common.
John
July 2009