ALOR STAR, MALAYSIA: Mechanical engineer Rozman Semail did not receive any formal training in designing motorcycles.

But within three months, he succeeded in creating Proton Stingray, a prototype chopper-bike which runs on a car engine.

"I was driven by sheer interest," said Rozman, 42.

He said he had always dreamt of making his own handmade motorcycle.

"When my immediate boss Nazril Mansor (at Proton Prototype Centre) threw the idea of Proton making its own motorcycle two years ago, I immediately volunteered to work on it.

"Within three months, with the help of three colleagues, we succeeded in creating the prototype chopper-bike which is 100% Malaysian made and 90% handmade," said Rozman.

The Proton Stingray, which is shaped like a stingray, is on display at the Stadium Darul Aman in conjunction with the four-day Malaysia Skills Competition and Proton Skills Competition 2008 which began yesterday.

The two competitions attracted 64 participants who have to dismantle, measure and reassemble car engines to test their skills.

Proton Stingray weighs 1,300kg and can accelerate to 200kph. It can also travel in reverse.

However, the Road Transport Department has not allowed the motorcycle to be used on the road because the body frame is not made by a licensed manufacturer.

Rozman said Kedah was the fifth destination where the prototype was displayed to the public.

"We have displayed the Proton Stingray at Danga Bay, Johor Baru, KLCC and Shah Alam," he said.

Motorcycle enthusiasts have until Sunday to have a close look at the 1.9m-long chopper-bike which is powered by the 1468cc Proton Wira engine 4G15P.

Proton lead engineer Muzam Shah Kama said Proton created the car engine-powered prototype to showcase its capability.

"We just wanted to show we can create the machine using a Proton engine," he said.