If the clutch works, disengages when you squeeze the handlebar lever then the ball bearing is there. Those parts, the bucking bar and the ball bearing, as well as the cam in the cover need to be lubricated well and periodically.
As far as the clutch being hard to pull there are several things you can do to lessen it. Lubricate the clutch cable inside the housing. Make sure you have no sharp bends or kinks in the cable and that it isn't secured too tightly to the frame. It needs long sweeping curves.
There is also a modification you can do. Smoothing and polishing the end of the bucking bar and the cam where the two contact will decrease the friction noticably. I use a Dremel with a sanding disc and a bench buffer on those areas then lubricate with a good quality bearing grease.
Good luck. Hope this helps.
Tom