Thanks for the advice and information. I'll start with a new plug and work back from there. Right after I got the bike I was able to get the plug to spark a couple of times--literally a couple of sparks, but since the bike has been sitting I wanted to lubricate the cylinder wall and add trans fluid before doing much cranking.
I have a copy of a 1980 owner's manual and I am assuming that most of the information in it will apply to my '77, although the tire size was not correct and I had to return the Michelin 2.25-17 tires I bought.
I looked at the points earlier but will now give them more attention. Can I check the timing without removing the flywheel?