I changed out the shift group on my Bridgestone and am running new cables. Kind of a newbie question for you guys: The shifters have way more rotation than needed to move the derailleurs so what is the "correct" position to place them? I'm thinking maybe I want them to line up with the downtube angle when the derailleur is at it's limit? This appears to be modulated by the cable tension so I'll adjust that to achieve the "correct" position.

Thanks gang!

Hmmm, not exactly sure what you're asking, but I will answer the way I think you're answering. Typically on down tube shifters you push the lever all the way forward to the front of the bike, insert cable, run through housing to the derailleur, which would necessarily be in it's relaxed state. When you shift, you are pulling the shift lever back toward you (toward back of the bike), thus tightening the cable & causing the derailleur to move.

So, push both shift levers all the way forward & adjust from there. Photos would help too. Are you shifters brazed onto the downtube or on a clamp?

The L shifter on some needs to be "wound around" sometimes, and does not always come to rest parallel to the DT. This may sound trite, but if there are instructions that came with the shifters, they'll clear up any problems. Been there, done that.

I especially like the front derailleur shifter to be all the way forward so when hill climbing in the granny gear I can push it all the way forward without slack. It's one of those "feel" things for me.

All very helpful replies, thank you. I am going to adjust the shifters to stop at the same angle as the down tube when they hit their respective derailleur limits.

Your shifters are supposed to have a stop.

+10 Levers should have stops on them.

Also, if they are clamp on, you need to place the clamp directly ahead of the brazed on stop on the DT. Most Japanese bikes have a heart shaped or similar brazed on stop on the underside of the DT.Its meant to prevent your levers from sliding towards the bottom bracket on the down tube.