[greenskull]

Heat shrink tubing is just great for this. Use the same color as original if you can so you don't go nuts later hooking it up again.

Do open up the bells carefully and push the heat shrink tubing just as far as you can without disturbing the windings. You can take this opportunity to paint the bells if needed.

Thanks, that's good news because I've got the heat shrink tubing on hand already and can get started now. Will post some chassis pics in a day or two to help address some concerns..... looks like this thing has been worked on before I got it.
Have a good weekend.