Motorcycle Repair: clutch?gearbox?, friction zone, clutch plate

Question
I've got a '76 Yamaha XS360, 0969 miles, been sitting most of its life. I replaced the clutch cable and now is almost impossible to shift into second,third,etc. gear. I've adjusted the cable to factory specs, yet the "friction zone" of the clutch is none existent. The clutch engages when the lever is let out completly. Also, the shifter is now very difficult to move with a slight grinding feel and sound to it(feels like the shaft is binding on something ?). Although it shifts into first effortlessly, nuetural is tricky to find. Am I missing something here? Any Ideas would be great.   Thanks,      Chuck Daut

Answer
Chuck,
 It is possible that the new cable is binding or kinked somewhere.  There should be a small amount of free play at the lever before the cable starts to pull.  If this is so you should be pulling the plates far enough to seperate.  If the clutch is indeed still dragging/turning the gearbox's primary shaft, there may be a clutch plate, flywheel or pushrod problem and you will need to dismantle and investigate.  Seperatly, you may have a shiting problem.  Be sure your gearbox is full w/ oil.  If so and the clutch is fully dissengauging and you still experience shiting difficulty you may have worn "dogs", damaged gears or damaged shifter fork problems.  All require splitting the case to fix.  First be sure your shifter is tight to the shaft and not slipping.

Hope this helps,
Mike