Starting issue:
There's a few possibilities. I'd check your jetting... too rich?
Clutch:
Blued plates is a result of overheating. And you say it doesn't grab until the lever is almost all the way out? Make sure lever is adjusted with some slack in the cable, if it's tight your getting constant slippage (even slightly) which will cause overheating/blued plates. As mentioned, check the clutch basket for notching too. 125s require constant clutch attention/maintainance.