...I noticed my clutch lever was completely twisted and mangled. It's hanging by the cable now.

How did that happen?  I guess when I dropped it a few days ago... I thought nothing busted, I was wrong =).

I hope these levers are cheap, and I hope I can install it myself.

Looks like I have to unbolt the entire clamp (which holds the mirror as well). The cable attaches easily enough as some kind of barrel-hook thing.

I am just wondering about the electrical cable that runs from the lever assembly to... where?   What does it do? Anything tricky I have to do for that when putting a new lever on?

This ruined my day and I will be out of action for the rest of the week probably.

It is your clutch switch. it connects directly to your engine start switch, preventing you from starting th bike with the clutch engaged.

see diagram below.

You wont have to unbolt the clutch perch (mirror clamp), you should only have to unbolt the lever itself (lever pivot bolt; 10mm top and bottom), then rotate the cable adjuster to align the slots so you can get the cable out.

The wires are for the clutch safety switch; just make sure that is screwed up tight.

Order two clutch levers, one as a back-up.

You will have a total of 3 things to unscrew...the clutch level bolt with nut and the two mini phillips screws that hold that sensor on...you first have to unplug the two side by side electrical plugs that go into the sensor...easy swap, good luck, no problem...OEM clutch level is bout 13 dallazzzz...