I've been looking into this but am a little perplexed.

Given that the cable is one length...

Point A is the butterfly,
Point B is the adjusting bracket, and
Point C is the pedal.

If the slack between points A and B is removed via the adjusting nut, isn't the slack now between points B and C? If the cable cannot physically be shortened, and the pedal box not extended, then the only place the excess slack can be transferred to is between B and C.

In conclusion, there would be no change in throttle responses etc. as the slack has merely switched spots?

 

One of the best questions I have ever read here on the board! You are absolutely correct in your theory. But the fixed length cable is "constrained" in a fixed length, and rigid, tube. So when you adjust the nut the rigid tube changes the path of the cable. Note when you make the adjustment that you are lengthening or shortening the constraint tube and not the throttle cable.

Utah

 

Thank you! It all makes sense now - I have seen the light of throttle cables!

 

Taking the slack out of the throttle cable is like the $2 tune-up.