Fuel wouldn't have been in the clutch oil, just the bottom of the crank case under the cylinder, but sounds like you took a look at that area so there one less thing on the list

If I had a 250 I'd send you a coil but alas, I don't. Regardless of brand of coil, I've experienced early failure in electronics first hand, it can at does happen.

Good news everyone...

Last night I put an NGK B9ES plug in it. Yes, I know it's not the factory plug, but NGK stopped producing the B8ES and I don't want to wait for one to come in that is NOS or risk it being a knockoff. I decided going a bit colder wouldn't be too big a deal. 

After ~20 kicks with the choke off and throttle open it sputtered to life and even idled. Tons of white smoke but I think it's due to the cold, it was below freezing in the shop. 

The rpm's "hang" a bit when I release the throttle, but that may be due to it being tuned poorly right now while i'm running a UNI filter with stock jets. I have the stock airbox coming in from ebay shortly. 

Thanks for all your help everyone. If part of the problem was just a spark plug, I think from now on I'm just going to replace them on every bike I get regardless of their visual condition. I appreciate all your insight, I learned a bunch! 

Here's a picture of the setup to get it running. 
  

Great news and well done.

 

Excellent news!

Congrats I know you feel relieved!!!

Good for you!
yet another example of why we should ALWAYS start our trouble shooting with a  brand new spark plug. They are cheap, but I often assume the plug is good....

My DT2 has a hang on the throttle rpm's after release as well. never have figured it out. Not nearly as snappy as my CT3.

Thats great news! i share in your triumph! i just got my Yamaha tri moto 175 3 wheel to fire! such a great feeling to hear that first braaaap lol

Just FYI for future…correct starting for a cold motor is choke on and throttle closed. Maybe you were overcoming some flooding from a bad plug but just to ease your frustration for the next time you go to start it.  Great feeling that it started and idled!

thanks for the follow up tips and kind words everyone. I appreciate it again.

Expect a few more threads as I continue to build the bike and have more questions!