I am embarrassed but not too proud to admit operator error on this one.
After re reading all the replies and double checking the bike, redxxrdr nailed it. I screwed up the dipstick read (insert joke here).
If you insert the dipstick and then let it wobble, it will read a little high. The faint gas smell in the oil was me looking for a gas smell---that was not there.
Ran motor and checked vacuum line at fpr . Its dry.
Thanks to all who chimed in, I'll go sit in the corner for 10 mins now.