Started bike, pulled clutch lever, put bike in 1st gear, let out on clutch and nothing happened. clutch lever moves freely with no tension at all. when i put the kickstand down it shuts off like its supposed to so im figuring that it is at least in gear. just wont engage.

Clutches do wear out eventually especially if you 'slip' it regularly. First check the basics. These are usually the quickest, cheapest fixes.
Check it isn't something between the lever and gearbox 'sticking'. Sometime trail dirt can get into the levers and cables gumming everything up.
Do this with the engine OFF and the keys OUT.
If you can, remove the clutch cable from one end. Work the lever on the handle bar to see if it moves freely. Slide the cable backwards and forwards through it's sleeve to see if it slides easily. Next work the lever on the actual gearbox. This might be stiff but it should move smoothly and return to it rest position every time. If these all move freely the issue could be the clutch plates inside the gearbox.
Next pull the clutch in, start the bike, and put it into first gear. Only give it enough throttle to stop it stalling. Gently and slowly let the clutch out and feel to see if the bike rises evenly with the lever or grabs and lurches forward.
If it lurches and the levers and cables move freely you might need to replace the clutch components.

The first thing you'll need to do is relax the tension in your clutch cable. Then adjust it n see if it works.your cable must be the problem.try taking it out and sork it in some oil n try freely moving it put back n see if it works

Check the cable under the gear lever. Look for broken pin or missing pin joining the lever to the cable

I think could two things. 1. A sticky clutch from being used for awhile. Are you starting it in gear with the clutch in or in neutral then engaging first. 2. You might need a slight adjustment on your clutch. Particully if there doesn't feel like much tension on the clutch lever.

The Clutch on some bikes will disengage the starter motor. Yamaha will not allow you to engage gear when the side stand is down. Hope this gives you some idea

when you put a bike into gear the chain tightens sounds like it is to tight move the back wheel closer to the swing arm about an inch that should do it

hope this helps

John

you can ride the cluthch on a bike un like a car you wont hurt it its oil lubricated constantly, sitting on the bike pull the clutch in with your left hand and click the left foot lever down in to 1st, then learn how to click it back up 1 half movement in to neutral. the neutral light will come on sfter the bike enters neutral. in first gear give the throttle on the right hand a squeeze and pull the clutch in with your left hand put foot gear selector down in to 1 st and begin to release clutch slowly. hold on as bike will engage may be jerky balance yourself! when you get moving stop! by pulling the clutch in and the hand brake as you close the throttle to stop! practice your take off many times some where safe! when you get your balance in 1st gear pick up speed and begin shifting the foot gear selector up in to 2nd gear and practice closing the throttle and breaking to a safe stop. gears are generslly 1st down 1 click 2345 and6th all up from there and neutral is 1 half a click up from 1st between 2nd gear. And dont put it in gear with the kick stand down t may stall on you

hope this helps

The clunking has nothing to do with proper clutch adjustment. What is happening is normal for Harley, they have a very loud gearbox.
I can suggest a way to minimise this, especialy when the bike is cold, and you put it in first 1st for the first time. Just before you do, prime, or pump the clutch lever a few times, even pull the lever in, and hold it in for a few seconds. This usualy frees up any sticky clutch plates, and gets the clutch working properly.
Good Luck

the plates will stick to each other because of oil
check the clutch lever at the motor and make sure it is moving the arm that pushes the pressure plate and make sure it is moving