Nearly all the engines and parts i bought were over 30 years old and most had been modified, converted, changed, damaged or stuffed.
I have the K manual, and the Partzilla page for the clutch and they both show a helical cut primary gear.
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1983/YZ125K/CLUTCH/parts.htmlThis means your governor needs a helical gear and your primary gear on the main shaft. However, i just checked again in my shed, and i have a clutch that has 24x on it which is straight cut, and a helical cut clutch that has 5x4 on it. Go figure? Perhaps Yamaha was updating parts and numbers throughout the first year.
I believe that most of the engine parts are interchangeable, including transmissions, as i have had a mish mash of parts inside. You just have to be aware of what parts affect other parts, such as helical and straight cut gears etc.
For example, the L has larger cylinder studs in the cases. One of my engines had the K cylinder drilled to fit the L studs and now its all cracked around those points. It fitted but it may of been better to get reducing studs to fit the K cylinder. (i have this cylinder on the shelf).
I do know that the K engines were supposed to be better than the L and N engines, so i would try to get as many parts, such as cylinders etc from the 24x. I do believe that you can make the clutch, transmission, water pump etc.. work interchangeably as long as you have some of the corresponding parts. I even have two shift drums from different models (1 with a removable bearing and 1 without) that both seem to work OK.
Hope that helps. I do have a bunch of parts at home, so i can check numbers, sizes, measurements etc.. or sell you some stuff if your stuck.
Cheers,
Alex