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Definitely check the clutch. It might also need a new top-end and carb clean since it's so old. Good luck!

What does the plug look like? Are you using fresh gas?

Why are you using the hot start if the bike is cold? Shouldn't you be using the choke?

Good cams and porting will help a lot if done right.

Like said above, try a new plug. But, before you put it in, squirt some gas down into the cylinder then try starting it. That works pretty much every time if the engine is in working order.

If you really want to keep that bike, get an aftermarket water pump impeller and cover for it because, like said above, this bike gets hot. Also, don't let it idle for very long. That's why the head pipe gets red hot, which happens to most four-strokes. Premium pump gas is fine as long as the engine doesn't have higher...

Magazines don't mean a whole lot. It's what you feel the most comfortable on. Besides, the KTM 250SXF had one of the best engines. The main complaint was suspension, but you can modify that to your liking.

Get some after market cams for it., or you can get it ported. If you still want more power you might as well just move up to a 450.

The best bang for your buck mods are porting, suspension re-valve, matching the cases, big-bore, pipe, reeds, or higher compression if you don't mind running race-gas. Reputable shops like Forward Motion (Eric Gorr) and Harris Performance can do most of that stuff for relatively cheap. Good luck!

You can also adjust the rear shock ride-height, but you'll lose some suspension travel.

Haha, that's some good stuff there. Thanks for the post!

+1 on him racing the 125, haha. Best of luck to him as he comes back!

Amazing bike.... No wonder he can whip it around so easily.