HOW TO... ADJUST YOUR THROTTLE FREE-PLAY

You don’t always need remapping — a snatchy throttle can be down to slack cable meaning a dead or loose area from fully-closed to when the engine responds. But it’s easy to fix...

1 Loosen it off

Most bikes with throttle cables run two — one for opening and one for closing the throttle. Manufacturers specify the amount of free-play (generally 2-4mm, in your manual or workshop guide), which is measured in terms of twistgrip rotation. Loosen the lock-nut then the adjuster (use oil if tight) on the opening cable; generally you won’t touch the close one.

2 Hand tighten

Adjust the free-play by turning the elongated adjuster on its thread until you reach the right amount and then tighten the lock nut. Sit on the bike and see if it feels right to you by revving the motor. If not, readjust. If the adjuster is nearing the end of its adjustment, you will probably need to replace the cable, as that’s a sign it is worn and stretched.

3 Check the revs!

With the engine still running, turn the bars from full-lock one side to full-lock the other and back a few times and listen for any rise in the revs. If the revs increase, the cable is too tight and the throttle is being forced open, which is far from ideal. Slacken it off a little and test again.