harryf

First gear is often a bit crunchy going in. There is no Synchromesh on first from neutral, (though bizarrely there is from second to first, which is rarely done). Make sure tickover not too high as that will affect it.

I have dellortos on both mine and they are reasonably well behaved and easy to look after. They also give a whisker more power than weber / solex equipped cars. Just give them a service and get them set up by a specialist.

The wobbly instrument needle is almost certainly a cable with poor lubrication. Remove the cable from its inner, coat in grease, will probably sort the issue. Certainly you should try that before opening instruments up.

This sounds like quite a bit of work/ money needed. If you are prepared to put the work in yourself (and you don't cost your time) it could be worth doing but don't underestimate how much it'll take.

Oh, and you probably won't get back what it cost you plus all you have to spend on it. I just always remember the old saying with clssics that its better to pay the extra for one thats had most of the work done precisely because of the above. Sound advice which I have never heeded but wish I had!