How to Shorten a Throttle Cable

When riding your bike, you control your speed by turning the right handle, called the throttle. Turning the throttle pulls at cables that run through your bike and release gas when triggered. The system sounds simple, but it requires a great deal of precision in the tightness of the cables to the response of the throttle and performance. You can easily shorten and tighten up your throttle cables, and by doing so you will improve your bike's performance and safety.

Things You'll Need

  • Wrenches
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Instructions

    • 1

      Slip a wrench around the lock nut on the pull throttle cable. The pull cable is upper cable coming out of the throttle with a nut and adjuster nut on it.

    • 2

      Fit another wrench around the adjusting nut that is held in place by the lock nut. Twist the lock nut to the left and hold the adjuster nut still until the nuts separate.

    • 3

      Turn the adjuster several times to the right, checking the throttle after each turn. Stop turning the nut when the throttle reacts immediately when you turn it.

    • 4

      Twist the throttle handle all the way toward you and then let go of it. If the handle snaps quickly back into place, tighten the nuts back together because you are finished.

    • 5

      Turn the adjuster night a little to the left if the throttle doesn't snap straight back. Keep testing the throttle and making slight adjustments until there is both snap-back and instant reaction in the handle.

    • 6

      Turn the front wheel of the bike all the way to the left and repeat the reaction and snap-back tests. Do the same with the wheel all the way to the right.

    • 7

      Tighten the lock and adjuster nuts back together by holding the adjustor in place and turning the lock nut to the right until tight.