[panheadpete]

All sorts of possibilities here;
Does the clutch lever (handlebar) go from an eighth inch gap to five-eighths at the cable when you pull it in? That should be enough cable movement.
At the other end, the clutch lever on top of the gearbox should have about one-half inch clearance from the starter motor when pushed fully forward by hand; this is adjusted using the screw adjuster in the clutch centre.
Then there's the clutch pressure screws, your usual 3; they need a balance between too tight and not enough, as well as needing to be balanced so that the pressure plate doesn't wobble when you spin the clutch with it dis-engaged.
If the adjusting nuts are too tight, you get a very heavy clutch and can't find neutral.
If they're too loose, it slips.
If they're uneven, or the springs are soft/short, you get all the above.
You really, REALLY need a genuine Shovel manual, plus some patience and lateral thinking; I'll be glad to quote from mine or copy the pages to you if you get stuck.
I can operate the clutch on my Pan with 2 fingers - leaving the other two free for car drivers.
Cheers,
Pete
PS not to mention a stiff/rusty/damaged/badly routed cable.