Cole Seely | Honda CRF450L Build Series

May 8, 2019

It’s rad to see a professional rider do something that shows how much they still like to ride motorcycles. Face it, the constant grind of training, practicing, risking injury, racing at the highest level, traveling, and living with that stress overhead takes away some of the enjoyment of why one enjoys riding in the first place. The last year has been the most difficult of Cole Seely’s decade long career, something he’s not above admitting, but the Team Honda HRC rider has spent the last few months with a Honda CRF450L as a new passion project. When a few close friends decided that do-it-all dual-sport bikes were something they could all have a good time with, Seely snagged one of the versatile models from Honda and took it down to the frame for a custom rebuild.

“When Honda first introduced the 450L there was quite a bit a hype around it and I wanted to get my hands on one ASAP! As soon as I got it I got the itch to start customizing it and making it my own style,” Seely told us. The build features a wide array of parts, some available to the public and some limited to the factory rider, which together makes Seely’s setup one of a kind. “There are some parameters that I have to stay within because of sponsorship and companies affiliated with Honda but also a lot of cool companies that I get to work with and help me with products.

“One of my best friends Mikey Ojeda started a company that specializes in creating bikes like mine, Bleach Design Works,” explained Seely (check out Mikey’s work with skater Nyjah Huston and motorcycle creative lab DEUS). “He’s been helping me along the way sourcing parts and taking care of all the footwork while I’m off racing.”

The Supercross season slowed the pace of the build, but Seely is in the closing stages and has a number of YouTube videos that documents the process.