Have perfectly-adjusted cables
Cost £0 Stuff needed Pliers, spanners
Why you need to do it Over time, your bike’s throttle and clutch cables will stretch — not by much but a little bit of excess free-play can make a big difference to how your bike’s controls feel. If you’ve owned your bike for a long time, this can go unnoticed but it creates poor throttle response and feel, as well as contributing to actuation problems.
What you need to do Throttle free-play is usually measured in millimetres, and values of between 2mm–4mm of slack in the twistgrip at the flange nearest the throttle housing is about typical. Most throttle cables have a plastic adjuster and knurled lock-ring located just after the 90-degree bend in the cable as it leaves the twistgrip housing. Loosen the ring then turn the adjuster to reduce the slack, flick the throttle and then, assess the play. When the play is correct, tighten the lock nut up. Clutch free-play is another adjustment that needs looking at every now and then but only applies to cableoperated clutches, not the self-adjusting hydraulic type. Adjust the clutch cable at the lever end by loosening the knurled locking ring and then the adjuster. Aim for 3mm of slack where the lever pivots on the body.
TOP TIP Don’t confuse free-play with lever adjustment — the dial on the clutch lever only alters the span. The free-play is the amount of slack in the cable prior to it becoming pulled taut by the lever.