I think the simplest way is to loosen the lever all the way to the bars and then turn the adjuster in the side case, while loosely holding the lever, until the lever is about 1/2-3/8" from the perch. Then use the perch adjuster to take up the slack until the lever is about a 1/16" from the perch.
Always works good for me. Occasionally I'll have to do a perch adjustment when it's hot. But I can always shift smoothly and never have a problem finding neutral. Moving or sitting still.