The problem with the Helm's manual?Honda version is correctly measuring 1/4"- this leaves a lot of room for interpretation. I like my way to remove as much slack as possible, just like many members here align their cars to different specs than what the factory recommends.

 

personally...

i don't see why you would measure vertical free play.

the cable doesn't move vertically, so that free play has nothing to do with anything.

however, the cable moves back and forth...so i line up a ruler next to it and adjust it so that the cables moves back and forth (free play) withint the recommended specs.

 

I do not agree with the Honda spec on this 1/4" free play is too much IMO. That's the way it is stock so if you want to "tighten" it, follow TrackStar's suggestion.

I usually tighten until it barely starts to open the TB and then loosen a bit. Try the TB manually by hand after that to see if it fully snaps back and closes without tugging the wire. No need to run the engine.

 

That's exactly how I do it- I added the "have a friend sit . . . " thing for the newbs just in case

 

1/4" vertical play. horizontal play will be less. wow, a stock setting is correct. why would honda do that? You can tighten it more if you want.. thats just the spec.

 

Do you guys tighten the TB because you had to, or because they all come with some slack and they can be tightened further?

 

vertical play is important because its a good measurement for the tautness of the cable. You don't want it too tight. You don't want to cable to move immediately when the pedal is pressed. You want a little slack. designed as such for a reason.

 

because they can be tightened more.. it will increase throttle response. You can certainly go tighter than the recommended 1/4" slack without damaging anything, but you run the risk of running it too tight. Personally I adjusted mine because it became loose over the 7 years of operation.

 

Can you guys tell me if it is worth the hassle of tightening it further than stock?

 

The slack is there to accomodate things like engine motion, thermal expansion, etc. Just make sure that the TB is wide open when the pedal is fully depressed. Removing all the slack just increases tension in the cable when you "floor it", which can lead to cable stretch over time.