Thanks Nelson, so far it is very positive. Not that I am using more than 1/2 HP at present but the lathe just performs better.
I think it has a lot to do with the extra mass of the rotor in the new motor. I still have the original lathe pulley and belt system
and I am sure I would pull all the teeth from the belt if I even tried to pull 3/4 HP from it.

Nice thing about the vfd is the various parameters you can read out. I leave it on amps and control my HP by limiting the amp draw.
Should have done it two years ago...

Cheers, JR