the Ferret
Road warrior
Come for the fun, stay for the education lol
What's an RLET?
- Thread starter Ghis_imp
- Start date
Novice_imp
Been there
the Ferret
Road warrior
Looking good brother Novice 
And another angel gets her wings :angel:
And another angel gets her wings :angel:
Novice, I think Ferret missed a step. From being a Novice brother, you are now brother Novice. Well done and welcome.
As to the broader question posed by the Windy City's pre-eminent CB philosopher, brother EmptySea, let's perhaps start with some definitions. The 'farkle' has been defined by brother MetallyGuitarded with help from his urban dictionary. Simply put, it's bling. An 'accessory' is best defined as something adding appearance or function not present on the original bike—a top box or engine guards. A 'modification' is similar to an accessory, although it is generally designed to enhance the performance of the bike in some way—an aftermarket exhaust or PCV or some such.
An RLET is not a farkle. There's nothing resembling bling in this critical feature of the bike. It could be an accessory as it adds appearance. So, too, could it be a modification as all owners who have fitted them report a sublime improvement in performance—and not just in the performance of their bike!
The truth, though, is that it's neither accessory nor modification. It's an essential feature, an integral component if you will. Consider two curious things. The leading historian of the RLET, Brother Ferret, has correctly pointed out that no restored CB750 would be complete without its RLETs. Similarly a CB1100, which takes its design cues from that superb machine cannot be complete without its RLETs. And yet they are not fitted. That is the first curious thing.
The second curious thing is that you can still buy them.
Actually, there's a third curious thing: in all the elegant propaganda about the design and construction of the CB1100, there is no mention, no hint, of the RLET.
A critical design feature, not mentioned in the official bulletins, not fitted to the bike, yet still able to be purchased can mean only one possible thing. They're meant to be on the bike, but the owner is obliged to fit them him or herself as a rite of passage. Hence brother Ferret refers to angels getting their wings and brother Popgun brings on the secret handshake he learned from the ghost of Mr Honda in a seance.
In conclusion, brothers, novitiates, lurkers and tedious search engines, the RLET is not farkle nor accessory nor modification. Rather, like the fuel tank or the seat or the superior plastic bag that holds the manual, it is an integral component of the bike designed to make and sustain its spiritual connection to its venerable ancestors: the Honda CBs of the 1960s.
As to the broader question posed by the Windy City's pre-eminent CB philosopher, brother EmptySea, let's perhaps start with some definitions. The 'farkle' has been defined by brother MetallyGuitarded with help from his urban dictionary. Simply put, it's bling. An 'accessory' is best defined as something adding appearance or function not present on the original bike—a top box or engine guards. A 'modification' is similar to an accessory, although it is generally designed to enhance the performance of the bike in some way—an aftermarket exhaust or PCV or some such.
An RLET is not a farkle. There's nothing resembling bling in this critical feature of the bike. It could be an accessory as it adds appearance. So, too, could it be a modification as all owners who have fitted them report a sublime improvement in performance—and not just in the performance of their bike!
The truth, though, is that it's neither accessory nor modification. It's an essential feature, an integral component if you will. Consider two curious things. The leading historian of the RLET, Brother Ferret, has correctly pointed out that no restored CB750 would be complete without its RLETs. Similarly a CB1100, which takes its design cues from that superb machine cannot be complete without its RLETs. And yet they are not fitted. That is the first curious thing.
The second curious thing is that you can still buy them.
Actually, there's a third curious thing: in all the elegant propaganda about the design and construction of the CB1100, there is no mention, no hint, of the RLET.
A critical design feature, not mentioned in the official bulletins, not fitted to the bike, yet still able to be purchased can mean only one possible thing. They're meant to be on the bike, but the owner is obliged to fit them him or herself as a rite of passage. Hence brother Ferret refers to angels getting their wings and brother Popgun brings on the secret handshake he learned from the ghost of Mr Honda in a seance.
In conclusion, brothers, novitiates, lurkers and tedious search engines, the RLET is not farkle nor accessory nor modification. Rather, like the fuel tank or the seat or the superior plastic bag that holds the manual, it is an integral component of the bike designed to make and sustain its spiritual connection to its venerable ancestors: the Honda CBs of the 1960s.
Elipten_imp
Road warrior
Obvious failure to install the RLET at the factory is a grievous oversight by the younger generation of Honda engineers. A letter writing campaign is required to Honda corporate to correct the situation.
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emptysea
Road warrior
Are we saying that, while a Stock CB is perfectly fine, it takes the RLEts for the bike to attain full CBness?
So, since Honda put them on its bikes, what was the thinking behind it. No manufacturer builds/equips bikes with unnecessary parts, as a penny saved on each bike turns into huge saving. Did Honda put them on for pure esthetic, or did they have a more functional purpose, such as protection, or such?
Wow, I just looked at some CB750 pictures I took from 2 different bikes at bikes shows, and sure enough the RLETS are there. How did I ever not noticed that ever?? I need me some RLETs. I still don't know what they do, but I'm converted.
Wow, I just looked at some CB750 pictures I took from 2 different bikes at bikes shows, and sure enough the RLETS are there. How did I ever not noticed that ever?? I need me some RLETs. I still don't know what they do, but I'm converted.
Brother Elipten, this is not the right interpretation. Soichiro Honda recognized that RLETs completed the bike; helped achieve CBness as brother EmptySea eloquently puts it.Elipten_imp said:
What has subsequently come to light in Honda's spiritual department is that recognizing the need for RLETs, acquiring and then installing them brings about a higher state of CBness that was previously thought to exist.
Novitiates must recognize and fulfill this requirement if an angel is to score wings and the secret handshake is to be shared.
Correct, brother EmptySea. See my further elucidation above.EmptySea_imp said:
Brother Ghis, it is not within my competence to answer important but pragmatic questions. Perhaps brother Ferret, keeper of RLET history could respond.Ghis_imp said:
I just came across one of the original batch of K0 CB750s to come to Australia. It was keeping company with a 1970 CB350 and both were sporting RLETs.
cb4kenco_imp
First service completed
I for one am thankful for this thread as I'd seen the term used liberally and was too afraid to ask what it meant. The real question is what's the point of them and isn't that they do nothing (I'm aware this is almost heresy here) the real reason they're not fitted anymore?
(I should say I'm also ashamed to admit that I did ask the dealer to fit them for me to my 14' EX as my path to enlightenment was not complete at the time!)
(I should say I'm also ashamed to admit that I did ask the dealer to fit them for me to my 14' EX as my path to enlightenment was not complete at the time!)
JustPassinThru_imp
Been there
Brother Elipten, this is not the right interpretation. Soichiro Honda recognized that RLETs completed the bike; helped achieve CBness as brother EmptySea eloquently puts it.Cormanus_imp said:
What has subsequently come to light in Honda's spiritual department is that recognizing the need for RLETs, acquiring and then installing them brings about a higher state of CBness that was previously thought to exist.
Novitiates must recognize and fulfill this requirement if an angel is to score wings and the secret handshake is to be shared.
Correct, brother EmptySea. See my further elucidation above.EmptySea_imp said:
Brother Ghis, it is not within my competence to answer important but pragmatic questions. Perhaps brother Ferret, keeper of RLET history could respond.Ghis_imp said:
I just came across one of the original batch of K0 CB750s to come to Australia. It was keeping company with a 1970 CB350 and both were sporting RLETs.
I just spit coffee all over my screen.:rofl:
Elipten_imp
Road warrior
I believe somewhere in the massive RLET posting trail, it was stated they were designed by a Honda engineer when moving the bike in the garage he scratched the paint on a car. My memory could be failing me but I am sure brother Ferret would recall since he is a higher level RLET brother.
You know I think this is how all major religious works and religions started thousands of years ago. First you worship, then you start a culture, and document.
I'm going to my garage and bow before both my CB RLET adorned motorcycles.
What would happen if I put them on my BMW?
Maybe we can get Ferret to spit tea on his screen, as he must be out on a ride.
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You know I think this is how all major religious works and religions started thousands of years ago. First you worship, then you start a culture, and document.
I'm going to my garage and bow before both my CB RLET adorned motorcycles.
What would happen if I put them on my BMW?
Maybe we can get Ferret to spit tea on his screen, as he must be out on a ride.
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the Ferret
Road warrior
"Maybe we can get Ferret to spit tea on his screen, as he must be out on a ride."
I was, thank goodness.
I was, thank goodness.
Elipten_imp
Road warrior
A wise man he is to order 4.
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Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Lord Popgun
Road warrior
Don't worry about it Ghis, Friday I ordered a spare set. Just in case...
Love it! I once had cool footpegs on a Harley for which the rubber replacements were obsolete. Managed to get a list from the dealer with all the names of dealers who still had them. Called them up, bought all of them, and had them shipped. I dropped like way over $100, but had rubbers for life. I'm hoping they won't discontinue the RLETs.Lord Popgun_imp said:
Lord Popgun
Road warrior
Ghis,
Actually they did. Ridem bought up all the ones left he could find and the rest of us got the rest. Then they weren't available. Then, they were again.
Like someone said, In Japan they are scratching their heads over this big RLET demand after all these years!
Actually they did. Ridem bought up all the ones left he could find and the rest of us got the rest. Then they weren't available. Then, they were again.
Like someone said, In Japan they are scratching their heads over this big RLET demand after all these years!
Powerdogg55
Running like a top
I was told early on by fellow forum members to never ever ride without your "rubber" protection. 
