Sprint 01 won't shift

[Colorado]

I am in the process of replacing the gear shift lever and shifting rod on my 01 Sprint ST. (The bike fell in my inclined driveway and busted the rod). I have replaced both, but the bike won't shift. It will shift down into first, back into neutral etc. but the bike will sort of feel like it wants to move forward, but won't. I have yet to receive my maintenance manual and have no owners manual yet. I tried to blow up some pictures from the net to get a look, but that has been of little help. Questions:
1. At what position (I have it at 12 o'clock now) does the shifting lever need to be on the toothed shifting peg?
2. Is this some electronic/safety apparatus I am overlooking?
3. It appears my foot shifter may be slightly bent? Is a minute derivation throwing off the shifting?

I don't think the trans is shot, it has only under 7000 miles and shifted find before the driveway drop.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[CLB]

Did you bend something in the clutch lever as well? It sounds like your clutch cable it too tight and the clutch is slipping. Make sure the cable has just a little slack.

[oldndumb]

Well, I've been waiting, but no one has asked ,what kind of oil are you using?












Just kidding. CLB is spot on with the most logical cause.

[Colorado]

Firstly, thanks for the suggestions. I took a look at the clutch and it received no real damage at all if any. It still feels the same pre-fall. Since the suggestions, I was wondering if I should try to adjust the clutch cable or if I would only exacerbate my trouble. Well I guess I will quit talking about it and try it. If the response from bike is the same, what next? Again greatly appreciated.
Colorado

[Colorado]

CLB, Oldndumb,

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. You were right on. It has been long time between bikes so I am reaquainting myself slowly and have been reticent about doing anything wrong on my Sprint. Sometimes you just have to jump in and get it done, as I am learning. Thanks again for imparting your experience and bike savvy!