When “On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter” hit theatres in the USA on November 7, 2014, Red Bull North America wanted to do something special to promote this iconic movie. Dana Brown and Roland Sands decided it would be cool to build a custom bike that would take us back to the original 1971 classic, On Any Sunday, and bring those nostalgic days to modern life. This bike build could have easily taken the path of flat tracker, hill climber or road racer; but with the tragic loss of offroad racer Kurt Caselli last year at the 2013 Baja 1000, it was decided that a “desert sled” build was in order. RSD contacted KTM North America and they were on board to have them build the bike and help tell Kurt’s story, and raise awareness of the Kurt Caselli Foundation.

The new machines have obviously gotten a lot faster, have way better suspension and are much more reliable; but changing the look was pretty straight forward. RSD hand-fabricated the aluminium fuel tank and chromoly subframe first, then made the aluminium side panels and number plates. The aluminium fenders are reproduction versions from a 1974 Husqvarna. All of this was done right on top of the unmodified stock frame. The team then incorporated some parts that Kurt was critical about on his race bikes, including his preferred handlebar bend, grips, pegs and wheels, as well as a custom, thinned-out brake lever from Kurt’s long-time factory KTM mechanic, Anthony Di Basilio.

The Kurt Caselli Foundation was formed in Kurt’s honor, to protect and support the lives of off-road riders through a three-part mission that encompasses safety precautions for riders before, during and after their racing careers. Caselli was one of the most amazing offroad racers in the world and proved it on every level, on and off the track. With a race resume stretching for miles, from dominating local California District 37 races as a kid; to wining 3 consecutive AMA National Hare & Hound Overall Championships, 3 WORCS titles and even earning his stripes at the international level as an 8 time ISDE Top American and 2 time class winner then being a front runner in his first Dakar Rally with 2 stage wins in 2013. Kurt was the real deal, he never let his racing success go to his head, and that was his truest accomplishment. Maybe it was his close family and travelling to races with his dad on a weekly basis that made him the way he was, none of us will ever know. What is known is that Kurt was an amazing person, full of life and forever grateful and appreciative of everyone around him who helped him live his dream.

Tech Spec:
KTM – 2015 450 SX-F
KTM Powerparts – Accessories
Red Bull
Red Bull Media House
Airtrix – Paint
FMF – One-off custom titanium exhaust
Dunlop – Tires
Taw Performance -Brembo billet race calipers
Bitchin Seat Company- Handmade seat
Dubya-Talon hubs, spokes & nipples
RK Excel American-Excel A60 rims
Race Tech – Suspension mods
Renthal USA– Handlebars, Grips & Sprockets
D.I.D. – Chain
K&N -Air filter and breather
Enduro Engineering – Skidplate
Spiegler USA – Brake lines
IMS Products – Footpegs
Lightspeed – Carbon fiber fork guards and brake line guide
BRP – Rear chain guide
Matrix Concepts – Kurt Caselli Foundation bike stand

Photos by: Joseph Hitzelberger