clutch cable issues

My clutch cable on my 69 Commando 750 was frayed at the lever so I disconnected the cable from the lever than had enough slack to remove from the other end of the cable from the fork in the gear case. Took the cable in to the local bike shop that specializes in old bikes and they made me a new one. However when I installed it, the cable seems too long. the adjustment at the lever is almost full out but when I pull the clutch I can not change a gear and when I let go of the clutch the lever does not go back and the cable remains slack. Did the shop make the cable too long or did I somehow screw this up?

If you haven't touched the adjustment inside the primary case, the cable's too long. You may be able to recover some slack with the adjuster mentioned, but it could change the leverage where the cable attaches inside the gearbox outer cover. I would have the shop shorten the cable. There should be a small amount of free play at the lever and anything beyond that before the clutch egins to disengage is too much cable length.

While I am sorry for the bad experience, why would you (anyone) go to a bike shop to have a custom cable made up
when a new correctly configured cable is available from any of the many Norton parts vendors for $35 or less? I'm sorry
to sound unsympathetic, but the attempt to save money often costs more money. Ask me how I know.

I have to say it; before changing the cable, make sure the cam hasn't fallen out of place. I would also go back and re-check the clutch center adjustment before making the final call on how much to shorten the cable.

Nathan

And how does the free play compare when you lay the old and new cables side by side?