Simon Whitelock’s 48-Cylinder Kawasaki: The World Record-Breaking Tinker Toy

Regarding record breaking, Simon Whitelock's 2003 Kawasaki is a full-throttle engineering wonder rather than merely an over-the-top motorbike. Known formally as the Whitelock 4200cc Tinker Toy, this custom bike holds the Guinness World Record for most cylinders in a road-legal vehicle. You did indeed read correctly—48 cylinders.

Designed not for speed but only to set this incredible record, the Tinker Toy runs on 16 KH250 engines, each with three cylinders to total 48. In terms of perspective, most road-going motorcycles have just one cylinder—or maybe two or four in more expensive models. Whitelock's innovation, however, is completely more crazy and it's permitted to ride on the road.

A mechanical masterpiece.
The 48 cylinders of the bike, each with their own ignition and Mikuni carburettor, form its core engineering basis. Every single cylinder is therefore independently controlled, a feat of accuracy that renders the bike as technically sophisticated as it is amazing. Another remarkable aspect is the exhaust system, which guarantees the bike sounds as loud as it looks by being a 24-into- 1 arrangement on both sides.

Though its look is frightening, the Tinker Toy is more than just a set of bits put together. Whitelock cleverly housed the electrical components in the tank he created from a stretched KH250 component. Under the cylinders rests a stainless steel fuel tank that guarantees this beast has enough energy to get going. The starter motor for this enormous engine configuration is a 125cc two-stroke scooter engine, which also powers the whole machine.

Custom Components, Unbelievable Features
Naturally, this is not a store-bought bike. Whitelock spared no cost in making sure each element supported the 600 kg (about 1,320 lbs) weight of the bike. Parts from a Honda Gold Wing, a heavy-duty motorbike with a strong base for the Tinker Toy's weight and power, make up the frame, for instance.

The gearbox comes from a BMW K100, a dependable German motorbike with strong engineering; the wheels are custom-built with spoked rims. A car-style alternator was used for the electrical power supply, another evidence of the meticulousness with which this bike was built to be as useful as it seems outrageous.

The Legal Behemoth from Road Legal
Although it looks more like a parade float than anything you would ride to the local shop, the Whitelock 4200cc Tinker Toy is a completely road-legal vehicle. It is thus really street-certified, and indeed, you could potentially cycle 48 cylinders straight down the highway. Its weight, size, and engine complexity notwithstanding, it was not constructed for speed. Rather, it was designed to set records, hence it more than meets the needs.

This incredible machine celebrates what's possible when you push the envelope of design, engineering, and basic old-fashioned obsession with breaking a Guinness World Record, not just a bike. Whether you're a motorhead or just someone who values the beauty of a very original design, Simon Whitelock's Tinker Toy is a showstopper with historical relevance.

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