Multi-pot madness | Record-breaking 48-cylinder Kawasaki-based behemoth to star in upcoming auction

Bored with run-of-the-mill twins, triples and fours? How does the idea of having a world record-breaking 48-cylinder Kawasaki in the garage float your boat? Well this machine that will go under the gavel in the upcoming Bonhams Spring Stafford sale on April 21 and is expected to fetch up to £60,000. 

Before the monstrous motor finds its new owner however, Bonhams will be displaying it pride of place at this weekends London Motorcycle Show. Tickets are still available for the event should you wish to see the beast in the flesh.

Dubbed the ‘Tinker Toy’ Kawasaki, it was the brainchild of Simon Whitelock, who began his journey into custom building in 1985, finishing his first in around 1987 before building numerous unique machines, including a nine-cylinder Kawasaki and an inline seven.

Whitelock’s inspiration came from the complex and often ground-breaking engines found on Second World War aeroplanes, naming his creation in honour of the incredible story of one particular B17 Flying Fortress, dubbed ‘Tinker Toy’ by her crew. 

The 600kg Kawasaki-based machine was constructed to claim the World Record for the ‘Land vehicle engine with the most cylinders’ and did just that. With a 4200cc capacity, it’s made from 16 Kawasaki KH250 three-cylinder engines arranged in six banks of eight and is road-legal.

“It’s not made for speed, it’s not made for power – it’s made to get in the Guinness Book of Records,” Whitelock commented. He reckons it should be good for 120-130mph for anyone brave or crazy enough to attempt to tame the behemoth.  

To fire up the massive powerplant, a 125cc two-stroke scooter engine is called upon to act as a ‘donkey engine’. Power from the 4.2 litre marvel is sent through a custom mated BMW-derived gearbox and delivered to the back wheel via shaft-drive. 

Engineer Dave Sperry assisted in the construction of the front end of the motorcycle, which borrows the forks, hub and braking set up from a Honda Goldwing and laces them to Hagon rims via heavy duty stainless spokes. 

Since this creation, more recent Simon Whitelock projects have included the restoration of a KH250 and installing an electric motor and 5kWh battery where the 249cc two-stroke triple once lived. Called the KH250E, it still gives the impression that a combustion engine is in place, with the new motor housed inside the casings of the original air-cooled two-stroke.

Accompanying ‘Tinker Toy’ in the auction are 78 other lots including a 1959 Benelli Grand Prix racer, expected to fetch £60,000-£80,000 and an ultra-rare Vincent Black Lightning, described by Bonhams as “unquestionably the most collectible Vincent ever”.

Price estimates are set accordingly between £120,000 and £150,000. The example in the sale is the 14th of 34-bike run and was created for sidecar racing.  

It was supplied to Poland where it was raced successfully by Tomasz Kamiński, before being returned to the UK in 1972, undergoing a restoration circa 1999/2000 then remaining unused since.

“The accompanying photocopy Works Order Form shows that this machine was built with Girdraulic forks; Amal TT10 racing carburettors; 280km/h speedometer; straight-through exhaust; racing mudguards; 52T and 56T sidecar-gearing rear sprockets; and a Lucas KVFTT magneto, and was delivered without lights or a horn,” the Bonhams description reads.

You can check out the full listings via the Bonhams website and other machines up for grabs include an ex-works 1972 Kawasaki H2R racer, which finished third in Daytona – as well as other classics.