Well she's all back together again.
I set my exhaust valves to 20/22, and my intake valves to what I caclulated would be 18/19 but ended up being 20/20 after measuring.
Considering I'd have to order new shims I'm just going to leave it for now, ride it when it's warm out, and check them again. I'm sure .01mm won't be the end of the world(even though it is out of spec).
Also, when reinstalling the throttle cable bracket onto the carb, I cracked the aluminum casting the screw goes into. Not sure how that happened or how I'm going to fix it.


Next on the list:
New front tire(current one is dated 2010)
Barkbusters Jet Handguards - green
ODI V2 Half Waffle Lock-on Grips - grey
KX250 Front fender - green
Chain & Sprockets

 

Unless the crack is drastic, like into a vital area, you could just go a bit looser and use some hand tool thread lock compound, like the 242 LocTite. Harbor Freight sells the stuff too. Once set, the stuff takes some effort to remove fasteners. I use it on anything that is semi-permanent and the cam sprocket fasteners too. Dont want one of them coming off.

 

Haven't updated this in a bit.

Noticed the battery in the bike was the wrong size(too small) so I replaced it with the correct model. Also replaced the ignition coil as the bike would die when warmed up.

​​​​​I've put about 800kms on it so far. Definitely no issues with compression, so it must have been either the valves or the tech made a mistake.

Loving this thing, but could use a little more power

 

This is a common issue with the KLX250 and other dirt bikes. Possible causes include a dirty carburetor or bad gas. Try draining the carburetor first, and if the problem persists, consider a thorough cleaning. Also, ensure you’re using the correct fuel grade (octane 87 or higher).
Check the battery (for electric start) and inspect for compression or jetting problems. The clutch is crucial for shifting gears and stopping without stalling. Common issues are a dragging or slipping clutch. Adjust the clutch cable properly to resolve these problems. Worn-out clutch plates can also cause slipping; consider replacing them if needed.

 

It's all good. Carb was clean, it was a bad ignition coil