Im trying to set up sunrace thumb friction shifters.

Im trying to set it up with a claris groupset, so 2 chainrings in the front.

The problem is it seems "too tight". It does shift between the gears, but the thumb lever does not go through its full range of motion. I have to really push up to get it to shift, and that shift point is like a quarter of the range of motion of the thumb shifter. Not only that but I have to push the shifter really hard to get it to the shift point. Like its not smooth at all.

I had it set up before where it worked beautifully, the first half of the range would be the smaller ring, and after about 50 percent it would shift (and keep going to the max ROM). I dont know what I did different that time.

This shifter does not have a barrel adjuster and Ive tried loosening the pinch bolt on the deiraileur (but if I do that too much it doesnt have enough "grip" to move the derailleiur and move it).

Hopefully that makes sense!

Is the cable attached to the left or right side of the derailleur pinch bolt?

It goes in through the left side and out the right side of the bike (drivers side?)

I'm not at home now but ill get a picture .

Another way to look at this is that the cable should be attached to the side of the pinch bolt furthest from where the derailleur cage pivots when moving. It's a small difference (measured in millimeters) but it gives additional leverage that can make all the difference in the world.

Left to right, but over the top of the bolt.

claris... hmmm... is there a TAB on the left side of the pinch bolt area of the arm? the cable is supposed to be outside (left) of that tab, then pinched at the top of the pinch bolt,.and can then be routed down or out the right side of the pinch.

yep.. just looked at a used claris here, in stock... it has the Initial Movement Leverage Assist tab.

going to sleep now but will check tmrw!

I had assumed you had the prior short throw Claris from the problem you described.

This needs to go above that top pin.

Hmm I think this is getting somewhere. It seems to start working better for a bit but for some reason no matter how tight I do the pinch bolt the cable keeps sliding out and losing tension as I shift up. Like its not holding on to the cable.

I set it up like that picture. I put the thumb shifter on the lowest gear, pulled the slack out and made it taught and tightened the bolt.

Tighten the bolt more.

Hmmm I tightened it as much as I could and still same problem.

Post a photo.

Is the cable all messed up or still mostly a little wire rope?

Heres a picture. I'll try to get a video of it too.

The cable is kinda twisted but its structurally ok I think.

Heres a video

https://imgur.com/a/fXq82BV

It looks like its working in the video but as you can see as I shift, the cable twists and eventually if I keep going it just slides out.

I noticed the locknut "plate" that tightens on the cable was slightly bent, so I bent it back into place, but that didnt help at all.

That is not how you were shown to do it in post #9. The cable should exit pointing down, which gives it more surface area under the silver plate.

Ahhhh! I missed that part for some reason. I was focused on just getting the cable over the top bolt. That did it, thank you!!!!!!