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Giant Kawasaki Motorcycle With 48-Cylinder Engine and 4200 cc Sells for $120,000, Setting a Historic Record
The impressive “Tinker Toy” with 48 cylinders is one of the most iconic and eccentric motorcycles in the world. This machine was designed to set a new standard in the custom motorcycle scene and ultimately became a Guinness World Record. Below are videos of the bike.
The History of Whitelock in the World of Custom Motorcycles
Since 1985, mechanic Simon Whitelock has been a well-known name in the custom motorcycle scene in the UK. Initially, he performed simpler builds using two-stroke engines and parts from various machines. The popularity of his creations grew rapidly, and he began exploring more ambitious projects.
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Some of these include engines with innovative configurations, such as the “triple-triple” nine-cylinder and a seven-cylinder inline engine. All of these machines were built using Kawasaki engines.
The Cylinder Arms Race
The custom motorcycle scene began to follow a peculiar trend: the search for the largest possible number of cylinders. Various builders tried to outdo each other, and at one point, Whitelock decided to take this idea to the extreme, creating a machine that would be the pinnacle of this “arms race.”
Thus, the 48-cylinder Kawasaki was born, a motorcycle that impresses both in design and mechanical complexity. Nicknamed “Tinker Toy,” in homage to a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber from World War II, this machine consists of six blocks of eight cylinders.
The Structure of the Tinker Toy
The Tinker Toy motorcycle was built from the Kawasaki KH250, chosen for its wide availability and low cost. This factor facilitated the project’s development, which also required the addition of a 125 cc auxiliary cylinder to start the main 48-cylinder engine.
This extra cylinder acts as a “donkey engine,” being turned off as soon as the main engine starts running.
Additionally, the project includes a BMW K100 gearbox, an adapted alternator from a car, and a modified fuel and ignition system.
Due to its robust structure, the bike weighs approximately 600 kg. To support this weight, reinforced Hagon wheels were added along with a front suspension from a Honda Goldwing.
The Exhaust System and Additional Configurations
The Tinker Toy’s exhaust system is interesting: it is configured as 24 to 1 on each side of the bike. Each of the six banks of cylinders has its own Mikuni carburetor and individual ignition.
The gas tank, built from 150 mm diameter stainless steel pipes, is located between the cylinder blocks, while the top of the motorcycle, which resembles a tank, is actually a casing that houses electrical components and ignition systems.
The project, started in 1998, was completed only in 2003, with most of the work done in the last year, according to Whitelock. The Tinker Toy has an active license in England and meets all regulatory requirements.
The Experience of Starting It for the First Time
Simon Whitelock described the first experience of starting the Tinker Toy as something memorable. He compared the sound of the engine to a Rolls-Royce Merlin, a classic British aviation engine.
During a recent attempt to start the motorcycle, the engine experienced issues, likely due to clogs in the Mikuni carburetors. Fortunately, Whitelock would only need six carburetors to resolve the problem.
The Sale of the Machine
In April of this year, the Tinker Toy was sold. The final price, including the buyer’s fee, was £92,000, which is approximately $120,000.
This means that each cylinder cost around $2,500, a considerable amount for a bike that, according to Whitelock himself, was not designed for speed or power but rather to set a world record.
“It was not made for speed or power. It was made to enter the Guinness Book of Records,” stated Whitelock. The Tinker Toy can reach about 120-130 mph (193-209 km/h), but its significance goes beyond performance: it is an icon of innovation and boldness in the realm of custom motorcycles.
The Future of the Tinker Toy
Despite being a completed project for over a decade, the Tinker Toy continues to spark the curiosity of motorcycle enthusiasts.
Even before the social media era, it was already a “WTF” machine in various forums and events. And today, with the popularity of platforms like Instagram and YouTube, the motorcycle still stands out in the feeds of enthusiasts.
Whitelock has stated that he does not intend to build another machine of such complexity, but his legacy remains. The Tinker Toy is not just a motorcycle with 48 cylinders; it is a symbol of creativity and daring.
The 48-cylinder Kawasaki, while having an impressive market value, is above all a mechanical work of art. Whitelock managed to create something that transcends the limits of conventional engineering, and it is unlikely that another motorcycle of the same caliber will be built soon.
Even with some issues during the last starting attempt, this machine continues to fascinate those who see it. The bike is so spectacular that it has become a huge hit on social media. Any image of the bike that is posted has an almost immediate reaction.
A moto é semelhante ao site de notícias. Horrível e sem nexo
Minta mais não muito !
Seu português tá meio ruim.
É possível andar na rua com essa gambiarra? Alguém consegue conduzir?