So you working on those scales 53? I take it you have a reason for refreshing--bring us up to date.
tage
If I'd been paying attention to this thread when it was active, I would have said: Yes, but start now and don't expect overnight results. With your advantage of experience in rhythm guitar, you could be playing reasonably fluid, genuine lead guitar in a couple of years, whereas it probably took me ten years starting at 15.

Learn them scales. Practice them all the way up the fingerboard. They are boring I suppose but that is the language you seek to perfect.

It takes longer to learn how to construct an effective solo than it does to learn to play the notes. You have to get past thinking, and just know where you're going to end up at the end of the phrase, AND STOP THERE.   

But I found it a lot harder to learn to play decent rhythm, personally. Guess I just ain't got none.
W-O