You will see this on Dyna's and some baggers most often. The problem is the ground cable to frame not making a good connection or the cable itself in poor condition. This is due to paint or just a poor connection so the clutch cable becomes the ground as well as the throttle cables. Use a star washer on the ground between frame and cable or scrape it clean and it will be ok.
If this has happened several times, then the cable will need replacing as well because the liner has been melted inside and the cable will always be stiff and drag.

In some instances, the cable can actually smoke as the starter is being cranked.

It will also give the symptoms of a weak battery when cranking.