Hi Jack,
there's a model comparison and history section on the front page of crm250.com.

Probably best to ask specific questions if possible, there are some helpful chaps on here :-)

Good job I never claimed to be mechanically adept.

It was flooded, that's all.

Yep, dead as a dodo. Always started 1st or 2nd kick before.

Is there anything I could have done (i.e. buggered up) while fitting a new throttle cable? It's adjusted correctly at the oil pump.
I don't think I broke anything on the carb/throttle_slide side.
I'm stumped.

It's a baking potato sized dent and it's split across a seam so I think it's curtains for that pipe.
I got a couple of possible replacements from Steve (old, smaller dents) so I'll give one of those a bash, metaphorically!

Got fed up of throwing big BMs down the track and so bought a little Honda to do that with instead. Have already dinged the front pipe (anyone got a DEP for a Mk2 for sale?) and am loving the bike. 25 years since I rode a 2-stroke though so I do miss the engine braking. I'm in Stourbridge, West Mids...