[old-zilla]

I just picked up a '90 zilla this weekend, and it's my first quad. It's not in perfect shape, and I'm wondering where to start. How about starting it? I read in this forum something about "top dead center", "kick it three times with the key off", and some others. Supposing my ride is mostly stock, how should I start it? I've just been kickin' the crap out of it until I'm all sweaty, then it starts.
The second issue, is that it doesn't seem like it's making all the power it should. It tends to all fall apart (the power) right when it seems like a 2 stroke should get on the pipe and really rip. I dumped the old gas out, replaced the plug. What's next? It seems to kinda 'garggle' at high rpm's.
The third (and most troublesome) issue is that in 2nd gear it seems to slip a little. Not in 1st or 3rd, just 2nd. Is there a bad synchro or something? A little help on this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Finally, what type, and how much crankcase oil does this need. Is there a sightglass somewhere to check it?
One more thing, 32:1 in 87 octane ok?

Thanks in advance for answering all my questions!