take it back apart and make sure the shifter arm is mated to the piece in the cover. I just did mine the other day and had the same problem. I had to place it two times to get it in the correct spot.
Josh, did the ball fall out of the clutch engage lever when you installed the new cable? there is a ball on the lever between the lever seat and the clutch pushrod. Without it you cant get the clutch to engage.