RSD Unveils 2015 GEICO 75th Anniversary Sturgis Bike

On August 2nd, Roland Sands Design along with GEICO, introduced the 75th Anniversary Sturgis Buffalo Chip custom Indian Chief Racer. RSD pulled the motor and a few spare parts off the stock Indian Cheiftain and re-imagined the machine from the motor up. Nearly every part of the bike is designed, fabricated and machined by the RSD team to realize the Chief Racer.

It’s heart features a pumped up Indian powerplant showcasing some new Indian speedparts. The Stock Chieftain gas tank is a beautiful shape and RSD used much of the OE tank to recreate a low and slim tank that nearly blankets the motor. A completely one-off RSD chromoly chassis was constructed around the 111-cubic inch engine. RSD also threw its prototype Roland Sands Racing quick-change flat track wheels at the project, coupled with a solo RSD brake caliper and Lloyd Brothers Motorsports / Johnny Lewis drilled, slotted & vented brake disc at the rear. Being it’s built for flat track, they left off the front brake and utilized a traditional, but highly modified Kiwi Indian leaf fork controlled with a Fox Shox DHX shock. The seat was custom pressed by legendary skateboard maker Paul Schmitt of Schmitt Stix. A Fox Float air shock has also been utilized for the seat. RSD Prototype engine covers as well as era inspired floorboards round off some of the many details.

RSD wanted this machine to represent not only its partners and RSD, but the history of Sturgis and Indian Motorcycles. This bike isn’t going to be strictly a show bike, it’s really inspired by racing and built to ride hard.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.