Re-Up; Preserving BMX History #17: Aykut Hilmi (GBR) and his copper Hutch Trickstar

Dec 25, 2023

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 4315 times

Name: Aykut Hilmi
Hometown: London, England
Bike: Hutch Trickstar

What's your earliest memory of the Hutch Trickstar?
Aykut Hilmi: I saw an American commercial and was hooked! At the time I had a red Raleigh Burner and we used to make half pipes in our local park

Who were some of the Hutch riders that you admired back in the day?
Aykut Hilmi: I didn't have much knowledge back then about BMX riders apart from the ones

we idolised in our local area.

Do you feel there is a need for BMX products to survive for history's sake?
Aykut Hilmi: Hell yes! If anything for our nostalgia and to remind us of our childhood.

Why copper and not gold?
Aykut Hilmi: I just thought there should only be one gold Woody Itson Trickstar! I wanted to make a stamp of my own with this build to appreciate and the Great 'Danny Purcell' coppered over the original chrome for me.

How long did it take you to get all the correct parts together?
Aykut Hilmi: 4 years from UK, America and Australia.

990 brake mounts made brakes so much better. Are the brakes on your Hutch the closest thing to it?
Aykut Hilmi: Damn straight. These brakes were part of making this build complete for me and I remember having nightmares about making these work! I spent endless time asking people questions and searching forever for these parts. It wasn't until my BMX buddy Robert Ashdown introduced me to a brilliant guy 'Sam Ben' who made just for me the brake-lug attachments and bottom tube lever to make these 990 brakes work as per Woody Itson's original design onto the forks. If it weren't for them I am pretty sure this brake fork set-up wouldn't of been completed. I am completely grateful to them.

Do you ride the bike or does it have a place on the wall?
Aykut Hilmi: I ride this beauty during the warmer months otherwise it would be a wasted. Then I hang her up on the wall as a trophy during winter.

How often do you look on eBay/Craigslist/BMX Museum to shop for old BMX stuff?
Aykut Hilmi: Religiously - lol

Who are some of the people who have helped track some parts down that you needed?
Aykut Hilmi: Robert Ashdown, Sam Ben, Graham Steel, Luke Haralambus, Mark Bolton, Travis Groin, Trevor Henry, Stephen Jupp, Danny Robinson and Danny Purcell.

What's the most ridiculous amount you have paid for a bike part that you needed to own?
Aykut Hilmi: Stupid money is all I am saying.

Do you have another BMX project in your head? How would you start on it?
Aykut Hilmi: Oh yes. Been looking at parts already but would love to complete a VDC Changa with my own stamp.

Do you always have room for "one more bike"?
Aykut Hilmi: Nope, but I am always pulled back in for the love of the build...