Noisy motor on ML7

Hello all - my first post as a new member.

The motor on my Myford ML7 is making a low-level rattling noise all the time it is operating. It is a Crompton Parkinson 0.5HP 1425 RPM 220V AC motor dated 1973 (as is the lathe)

Has anyone had this with their motor, is it the sign of something serious? Any help would be appreciated.

Orrerymaker

Changing the bearings shouldn`t be a problem. Not expensive either. If I had an old motor, on a otherwise nice lathe, I`d check the rotor for wear, but change the bearings anyway.
Rattling noise can also come from elsewhere - countershaft, spindle, pulleys.....but if You aim to keep the motor - change bearings. Good luck!