Compelling Videos From Hoxton Moto

It was last Friday that reader Joe Acampora posted a video of a 1912 Wilkinson motorcycle on my Facebook timeline. He presumably figured that I’d like to learn about a vintage machine – built more than 100 years ago by the folks who make razor blades – that bears my surname.

He was right! I’d never heard of the Wilkinson motorcycle brand. I watched the video attentively as a low-key yet eloquent presenter named Don showed off the bike and took the four-cylinder Wilkinson for a spin. “It was their attempt to produce a luxury motorcycle, and that it certainly is for its day,” he said, noting that Wilkinson only made about 200 motorcycles total.

Before reading on, check out the video:

The video was produced by Hoxton Moto in England, so I quickly did a check of YouTube to see if there were other videos. Indeed, there were – videos of Don showing off a 1928 Scott Flying Squirrel, a 1925 James Model 12, a 1975 Honda CB750 Four, a 1956 BSA Golden Flash, a Brough Superior from the 1930s and many more.

I also checked for a website for Hoxton Moto, and quickly shot off an email seeking more info on the presenter and the production company. Responding promptly was Shaun Fenton of Diesel Films. He explained that Diesel Films is a TV production company that does short motorcycle films under the Hoxton Moto name. The company recently moved from London to a larger workshop and studio near Hastings in East Sussex.

Don Hunt with 1912 Wilkinson

Don’s full name is – or was – Don Hunt. “Sadly, Don passed away a few years ago. He was a very knowledgeable motorcycle enthusiast and had a large collection of machines from vintage, classic and modern,” Fenton wrote.

“Although he was fascinated by the evolution and engineering development of motorcycles, his real passion was riding. All his bikes would be regularly ridden through the lanes of Hertfordshire where he lived in England. In his youth, he and his wife would travel vast distances exploring Europe on a motorcycle. Many of his adventures ‘2 up’ were made on his Laverda Jota. His eclectic and diverse motorcycle collection included British, American, Italian and Japanese machines – namely James, Indian, Sunbeam, Velocette, BSA, Ducati, Laverda, Honda.

“However, his deep passion was for Scotts. Not only did he love to ride his ‘Flying Squirrel” Sprint Special but he would always enthuse about Alfred Scotts revolutionary bikes, which for their time had a water cooled 2 stroke engines and even a kick start. He was recognised by the VMCC (Vintage Motor Cycle Club) as one of the most knowledgable Scott specialis(ts).”

Fenton further explained that Hunt was a successful business consultant and was the father of one of his colleagues. “When Diesel Films (aka Hoxton Moto) was asked to film a series of bike reviews, I approached Don – he had never been filmed before – who had a natural passion for all motorcycles and oration skills. He proved to be brilliant, and not only did he do his own research, he brought a personal impression of the machines, discussed their idiosyncrasies, merits and the impact they had on the history of motorcycling.”

What I need to do now is to find the time to watch all of Hunt’s videos.