
World Record Holder – 4,2-liter 48-cylinder Kawasaki
In the 80s of the last century, there was a real "boom" in the custom bike industry in the UK motorcycle. And our hero today had to become a kind of "catalyst", capable of slowing down the movement that was gaining momentum, and he succeeded. He became one of the most recognizable and most iconic representatives of two-wheeled vehicles.
The 48-cylinder "Tinker Toy", as the new product was called, owes its appearance to Simon Whitelock, a well-known craftsman in narrow circles. He began his activity with simple projects - he was engaged in assembling in-line two-stroke four-cylinder engines from motors and components from various cars.
The weight of the Tinker Toy is about 600 kg. Photo: YouTube.com
He soon attracted attention with more ambitious projects, such as in-line power units with nine or seven cylinders, based on Kawasaki two-stroke engines.
At that time, there was an unspoken competition in the local custom motorcycle market – which manufacturer could squeeze the maximum number of cylinders into a machine. And Whitelock, believing in his own strength, decided to become the winner in this dispute and got to work.
He called his "creation" with a 48-cylinder engine Tinker Toy Kawa. Its power plant is six rows, each of which has eight cylinders. As is already clear, the popular and at the same time affordable KH250 model from Kawasaki was chosen as a donor. As a result of the conversion, this "lucky guy" will be included in the Guinness Book of Records.
The Tinker Toy's powertrain allows it to reach a maximum speed of 203 km/h. Photo: YouTube.com
It is noteworthy that technically the motorcycle received only 49 cylinders, as one additional one was installed - 125 cm3. It acted as a starter during engine start-up and was switched off when the other cylinders "came into operation".
In addition, the Tinker Toy has a BMW K100 gearbox, a car generator and a unit with modified fuel and ignition systems. The weight of the "record holder" was eventually about 600 kg, and in order to "cope" with it, it was necessary to use the front part of a Honda Goldwing and super-strong wheels from Hagon.
The exhaust system is organized according to the following principle: each of the six 8-cylinder blocks has its own ignition and Mikuni carburetor. The gas tank, made of stainless steel, received a diameter of 150 mm and was located between the middle and lower cylinder blocks.
Tinker Toy gets reinforced Hagon wheels. Photo: YouTube.com
As for the production time of this "monster", the project can be called "long-term". It was launched in 1998, and reached the "finishing line" only in 2003. True, as often happens, it was in the last year that about 80% of the total volume of work was done.
It is noteworthy that the 48-cylinder motorcycle meets all safety criteria and even received a valid permit in England. At the same time, according to Whitelock himself, this vehicle is not created for speed and travel. It is created for a record. However, he himself rode it, and probably more than once. Although, looking at this specimen, you understand that it was not very easy to do this, and it is unlikely to be convenient. Especially to reach the maximum speed, which is within 190-205 km / h.
Now "Tinker Toy" has a new owner, who bought it for 92 pounds sterling (about 000 million rubles) at a motorcycle auction held by Bonhams this spring. Whether he managed to "saddle" this "iron horse" is still unknown.
Got fired up by the idea
The 48-cylinder "Tinker Toy", as the new product was called, owes its appearance to Simon Whitelock, a well-known craftsman in narrow circles. He began his activity with simple projects - he was engaged in assembling in-line two-stroke four-cylinder engines from motors and components from various cars.

He soon attracted attention with more ambitious projects, such as in-line power units with nine or seven cylinders, based on Kawasaki two-stroke engines.
At that time, there was an unspoken competition in the local custom motorcycle market – which manufacturer could squeeze the maximum number of cylinders into a machine. And Whitelock, believing in his own strength, decided to become the winner in this dispute and got to work.
Non-standard approach
He called his "creation" with a 48-cylinder engine Tinker Toy Kawa. Its power plant is six rows, each of which has eight cylinders. As is already clear, the popular and at the same time affordable KH250 model from Kawasaki was chosen as a donor. As a result of the conversion, this "lucky guy" will be included in the Guinness Book of Records.

It is noteworthy that technically the motorcycle received only 49 cylinders, as one additional one was installed - 125 cm3. It acted as a starter during engine start-up and was switched off when the other cylinders "came into operation".
In addition, the Tinker Toy has a BMW K100 gearbox, a car generator and a unit with modified fuel and ignition systems. The weight of the "record holder" was eventually about 600 kg, and in order to "cope" with it, it was necessary to use the front part of a Honda Goldwing and super-strong wheels from Hagon.
The exhaust system is organized according to the following principle: each of the six 8-cylinder blocks has its own ignition and Mikuni carburetor. The gas tank, made of stainless steel, received a diameter of 150 mm and was located between the middle and lower cylinder blocks.

As for the production time of this "monster", the project can be called "long-term". It was launched in 1998, and reached the "finishing line" only in 2003. True, as often happens, it was in the last year that about 80% of the total volume of work was done.
Not for riding
It is noteworthy that the 48-cylinder motorcycle meets all safety criteria and even received a valid permit in England. At the same time, according to Whitelock himself, this vehicle is not created for speed and travel. It is created for a record. However, he himself rode it, and probably more than once. Although, looking at this specimen, you understand that it was not very easy to do this, and it is unlikely to be convenient. Especially to reach the maximum speed, which is within 190-205 km / h.
Now "Tinker Toy" has a new owner, who bought it for 92 pounds sterling (about 000 million rubles) at a motorcycle auction held by Bonhams this spring. Whether he managed to "saddle" this "iron horse" is still unknown.
- Lilu
- www.youtube.com
We recommend for you

They want to expand the production of Il-76
And the Il-114, which should solve the problem of the shortage of regional aircraft in our country, has good prospects in terms of export. Details in...

The third bridge across the Volga will be built – the project has been approved and financed
The President contributed to the speedy start of construction. Together with it, a new highway will be built, which will solve the transport problems of Yaroslavl, but not all residents...

New Nuuva V300 cargo plane makes maiden flight
In essence, it is an unmanned aerial container, which has an atypical design for such devices and an impressive power reserve. Read more about the project in...

Vladimirets tractors to be produced in Russia
Only under a new brand, and it looks like these will be renamed "Chinese". Read more about the project in our article....

GAZ showed several family minivans – they will go into production
They are made on the chassis of standard models. And what, was that possible?...

The production model of the PD-8 aircraft engine was shown to the general public for the first time
The power plant is intended for the SJ-100. Other long-awaited units for our aviation were also present at the exhibition....

S7 Group has shown the final version of "Tango" - serial production has begun
Along with the light aircraft, the Russian company showed a completely domestic engine, the APD-520. A worthy replacement was found for the Belgian engine....

SJ-100 production to be accelerated – new PD-8 engine production to open in Russia
This will be a major logistics center in Khabarovsk Krai. It will also have a section for assembling aircraft engines....

Shacman "has arrived" - Chinese dump trucks will no longer be sold in Russia
The Prosecutor General's Office and the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade have questions about the quality of Chinese products. All the details of the inspection can be found in our...

The third stage of construction of the Lena Bridge has been approved
Construction began at the end of 2024. The project was personally approved by the President of the Russian Federation....

Serial production of BAZ trucks to begin in St. Petersburg
The new vehicles will be able to carry up to 20 tons. A considerable part of the components is produced in Russia....

Another 158 ships to be built in Nizhny Novgorod
These include dry cargo ships and cruise liners. The contract amount exceeds 162 billion rubles....

Alexey Garagashyan's New Product: What Will Replace the Sherpa
Inventor, engineer, race car driver, designer. Alexey made if not a revolution, then certainly a furor in the world of off-road equipment. At the same time, modest and...

Another Russian pickup truck has gone on sale – it has five seats and a large cargo compartment
This is a new product from the Russian brand Sollers. The car, known as ST8, is offered with different types of engines....

The new MAZ apron bus can do what others can't
The Minsk Automobile Plant has shown a bus that could change the idea of airport transport. At first glance, nothing out of the ordinary. It seemed...

To Mars in a Month – Russian Scientists Test Unique Plasma Engine
The unit is not "on paper", engineers are already testing the power plant on a special stand. The operating principle is described and the date of the first flight...