Motorcycle Repair: clutch lever effort on 1972 sl350, worm screw, clutch lever

Question
I bought this bike last fall, and the clutch lever is very difficult to squeeze.  I checked and oiled the cable and made sure the routing was smooth.  It must be in the clutch.  I had this same model bike back in the early 80s, and I recall the clutch being difficult on that bike, too.  So, maybe it's inherent in the bike?  But this one is so hard that my forearm is spent after only 10 or 15 shifts.  So, I assume I'll need to disassembly the clutch?  I have never done a clutch before.  Anything in particular I should be looking for?

Answer
Kevin, inside the clutch lifter worm screw there should be a 1/4 in. or 6 mm diameter steel ball.  It's pretty common for those to be lost when someone replaces a clutch cable.  If that ball is not there, it puts the worm screw at the extreme end of the ramp and it will be hard to pull in.

Regards
Rich