Monster ride

A 48-cylinder machine developed by a motorcycle fanatic continues to wow bikers even 18 years on. But can you really ride this?

English motorcycle enthusiast Simon Whitelock is the “madman” responsible for the existence of an outrageous contraption. It is based on the Kawasaki 250 S1, a relatively small bike equipped with a 3-cylinder 250 cc engine capable of putting out 31 hp. The Kawasaki features six rows of eight original S1 cylinders, stripped off of 16 S1 motorcycle engines. All cylinders are connected to a common transmission, borrowed from a BMW motorcycle, and require more than the regular electric starter motor to start.

“The 48-cylinder lump is slightly harder to start than your conventional motorcycle engine, so instead of an electronic starter motor, we decided to use what we call a ‘donkey engine’—a little sub-50cc engine, which is started, and in turn that starts the 48-cylinder engine,” Whitelock explained when he first unveiled his creation in 2003. So, essentially, the motorcycle which is known as the Whitelock Tinker Toy, has 16 in-line engines, plus a 17th one that acts as a starter. Talk about overkill!

But this outrageous Kawasaki was never built with practicality, efficiency or even basic functionality in mind. Looking at the distance between the handlebars and the front edge of the seat, it’s hard to believe anyone can ride this for more than a few minutes at a motorcycle exhibition. This is more of a concept of what can be achieved when motorcycle fanatics put their mind to it, even though it is totally road-legal.

The long run

In episode after episode, a bizarre Japanese TV show has been featuring women running up steep streets

For the last 15 years, TV Asahi’s Zenryokuzaka, one of Japan’s longest running television shows, has been featuring women running up steep streets. Every night at 1.20 am, from Monday to Thursday, thousands of people tune in to TV Asahi to watch the latest episode of Zenryokuzaka. Each episode lasts no more than six minutes, including the opening and closing credits, and focuses solely on following the protagonist as she runs up the street. It is one show that has somehow remained popular in Japan.

Pic/Zenryokuzaka/TVAsahi

Zenryokuzaka features a different protagonist every time, usually a famous personality or entertainer of some kind, and is shot at a different location in Tokyo or nearby municipalities. With nearly 3,000 episodes uploaded to the show’s dedicated YouTube channel alone, it’s safe to say that Japan has its share of steep streets. Apart from the protagonist and location, which change with every episode, every Zenryokuzaka is pretty much the same, down to narrator Mitsuru Fukikoshi uttering the phrase “This, too, is a hill that makes you want to run up it,” as the young woman starts running up the street. 

Not too cute to get a job

A Michigan woman was shocked after accidentally receiving a hurtful message from her prospective employer, in which he described her as “not that cute.” A now-viral video detailing the incendiary application review — posted on Thursday on TikTok—has amassed more than 1.3 million views on the streaming platform. The fiasco occurred while the 21-year-old college grad was applying for a position as a “brand representative” for the Auburn Hills-based Ava Lane Boutique. The VP of operations, accidentally sent the employee a dismissive email, which was actually intended for his wife and the store’s owner Laura DeGrendel.

Cat scales mountains in New Hampshire

A cat named Folki has made it to the summit of New Hampshire’s 48 tallest mountains with her owner Mel Elam, of North Conway. Folki has grown from kitten to cat in the nine months since she and Mel Elam; started their journey to the top of the state’s 4,000-footers (1.21 km). Last on their list was Mount Washington—the highest summit in the Northeast at 6,288 feet (1.91 km), which they reached last Saturday.

Restaurant thief is sorry that he stole US$184

Someone, who broke into a Vermont restaurant and stole $184, left a note apologising for the crime. Before leaving the Full Belly Deli in Lyndonville, the culprit scribbled a note on a menu in thick purple marker that said, “I’m so sorry, I had to.” Owner Tyler Eckhardt, said, “We’re trying to get off the ground. And then someone does this.”

Woman gobbles down 50 chili dogs in 22 mins

A competitive eater wolfed down 50 chili dogs in 22 minutes, setting a local record at a bar in western Michigan, where thousands of customers have their names on the wall for eating just a fraction. Molly Schuyler showed up and just started eating on Wednesday at The Corner Bar in Rockford. After 19 minutes, she had eaten 44 hot dogs. “I brought her out six more dogs. In 22 minutes, she ate 50,” server Lisa Paavo said.

Men are facing friendship recession

Nearly one in five American men have admitted to not having a single close friend, according to the  survey results conducted by the Survey Center on American Life. The number of American men without a close friend has jumped five times since 1995, from three per cent to 15 per cent, according to the findings, while those claiming to have at least six close friends have plunged by half, from 55 per cent to 27 per cent. According to Cigna Health Insurance, 61 per cent of Americans report feeling lonely. Men are also less likely than women to receive emotional support from their friends.

Hot on the heels

Ukraine’s defence minister recently had female military cadets wear pumps with heels in an important parade. The military offered no explanation as to why female cadets were wearing heels, but the move was severely criticised. Pic/AP

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