Tony, not all single phase motors are capacitor start. Some are shaded pole, for example, but I've never worked on one of those. However if the motor runs, but slowly, and yet its bearings are free, I'd say it's a goner: the motor guy's diagnosis of shorted winding sounds correct. If you are interested by all means take it apart, but I think it is unlikely any positive outcome can occur. How it comes apart depends on the idiosyncrasies of the design engineer, but most likely the tight fit of the bearing inner rings on the rotor axle is the problem. If you have removed the longitudinal screws that hold the ends on, and proved this by moving the two end plates about, you should be able to support the outer casing and press or drive the rotor axle out of the upper bearing. The lower end plate will come out with the rotor. Just be careful that it doesn't have wiring attached to one of the end plates though: if it does, that one has to stay in the casing, with the field winding.
To find an Adelaide flea market, unless a local Outdoorking member can help us I'd begin with a google search of "trash and treasure adelaide", and look for an entry that is long on "second hand" and light on "collectables", "craft", and kitsch generally. I suggest you get details from Deejay of his electric SB mower, including a photo of the motor manufacturer's identification plate. It seems pointless to put an unsuitable motor on the machine just because that is what the previous owner did. It is not only a matter of horsepower; you also have to pay attention to the speed. Many large (over 1.5 hp) single phase motors are 2 pole (3,000 rpm), not 4 pole (1,500 rpm), because the torque required is then only half as much and the motor can be smaller. The usual way to get a good-quality 3,000 rpm 2 hp single phase motor at a good price is find an old swimming pool pump motor, because many of them are of that type. Alternatively there is a large range of new motors on ebay for about half what your local supplier quoted. Remember, though, you should use the same speed (3,000 or 1,500 rpm) that Scott Bonner did originally, so you can use the same pulley or sprocket size they used.
