Guitar strings have helped me.

Also make sure your air filter is still good. The photo linked below shows an air cleaner that appeared to be ok until I tried to remove the foam from the cage for cleaning.
imgur.com/a/U6cOqXO

When the pilot jet is removed I use an acupuncture needle I bought home a few of haha.  Works good on the little cross holes on the needle jet when removed also. When the pilot is in place I'd have no chance with anything flexible if blocked which is why I mentioned wire brush strand--just saying!!

Whoo hoo! Got her running .I followed ya'll's advice and took the carb all back apart and used a piece of wire brush wire to push and prod as much as I could. The pilot jet is definitely NOT gonna come out though. It was so torn up by previous attempts that all I did was round it off more....but I did get all of the pieces cleaned up / out, and blew out everything with air.

Started right up. I don't have any experience w/ 2-stroke bikes and have only ridden a 4 stroke a handful of times. Anybody notice any weird noises or anything? It is idling ~1700-2000rpm without choke, so seems fine, right?

To do (I'll make separate posts if needed):
--unfreeze clutch plates (Even with clutch pulled in I cannot disengage motor from tranny)
--replace clutch adjustment screw (frozen. Perhaps I'm not getting enough clutch engagement which is causing the above)
--fill gas tank with vinegar and flush out all the surface rust in interior
--fix kick-starter. I think it is missing a shim, but it is getting stuck at the bottom of the stroke. Not a big deal, but annoying
--do something with the front forks cause they are way too spongy.
--replace kick starter gear cause the teeth are somewhat chewed up
--replace/refit original tool kit
--get safety gear for riding
--Title/Register and ride

I would change out the front and rear brake shoes 50 yr old shoes can delaminate for safety reasons It’s happened to me before 

Ya on a roll that's good. If ya in at the kick gear the clutch is easy to separate & clean up. Also dispose of the rubber separating rings that sit under each fiber. They serve no useful purpose & may already have been removed. Be careful  assembling the kick assembly as has a bent ear friction clip thingy that needs its ear engaged in a slot in the inner case. Mind you I've forgotten what bike you have so any smaller up to 175. Clutch actuator on the left needs oil or grease to move freely. 

Aldrich, great news, carb inners need to be handled delicately, if it doesnt want to move, try heating with a good hair dryer and then go away if you get frustrated, sometimes if you have a 'knack' for it, a little tap with a hammer can break the seal