When the clutch cable develops slack due to stretching and clutch disc wear, the cable is adjusted automatically when the clutch is released. The tension spring pulls the toothed segment backwards and allows the pawl to ride over to the next tooth. This effectively shortens the cable.
Actually, the cable is not really shortened; but the slack has been reeled in by the repositioning of the toothed segment. This self-adjusting action takes place automatically during the clutch’s operational life.