mini update. got my filters in today, so i was able to get the bike running again. before it would only run with the choke on, now with a little bit of tinkering with the idle screw, i was able to get it to idle and rev on its own, choke off.
after i shut the bike off, i heard what sound like "rain droplets," or someone peeing, and saw that oil was bubbling out of a small area on the left side of the head. if you listen and look closely, you can see the oil bubbling out, and hear it as well.
looks like im gonna have to go through the whole motor now.