He said you need to make sure it has no leaks. So make or a buy a leakdown tester and see if it has leaks. Otherwise, you may be chasing your tail until the engine fails. You can search youtube and these forums on how to make one. I think someone on ebay makes them if you dont want to piece one together.
Reeds bent = bad, should almost seal. Preferably seal.
If you've had the intakes off, that is a very normal/common place to have an air leak.
Need to be sure a 2 stroke has NO air leaks.
Welcome to the forums. I live in Lafourche parish. Good luck finding a legal place to ride down here. There's the spillway but it sucks for wide open stuff. The mud bikes and side by sides tore everything up. I went last year and i didnt get out of 2nd gear.
Stock carbs are fine. Like he said, it should have a jam nut and those work fine. Getting bigger carbs wont solve you not knowing how to work on a bike nor jet a carburetor. It is a pita to learn.