Success...!
Well, thanks to all the comments and suggestion the bike is now running properly again.
The problem was, as suspected, blocked/restricted suction oil passage from the crankcase bottom pickup hole
to the oil pump scavenge side.
I was able to remove both grub screws with the engine in the frame (front of engine and below timing cover).
I removed the oil line junction block from the crankcase and then shot solvent and air through the holes.
There was some debris that dribbled out but nothing that a magnet picked up. I ran a wire through the drilled passages
to confirm that I got all the way to the end of the drilled oil ways.
This external passage cleaning is not a permanent fix of course. The proper fix will be to re-locate the sump pickup point as shown in previous replies. But that will involve splitting the cases. And thanks for the explanation of how the
Old Britts case modification uncovers the new rear oil pickup point.
This work allowed me to learn many things. I have avoided the potential disaster if the oil tank had started leaking through the pin holes. I also replaced the 3/8" oil lines ($5/foot!) and improved the oil tank bottom rubber mount by getting rid of the rock hard original part replaced with a thick rubber donut. A nice feel to the oil tank mounting now.
I would like to replace the original slot head 5/16"x18 grub screws with an easier to remove recessed hex head type as I intend to do an oil change and drain through the drilled passages too.
Thanks again to the forum!