A designer is stopping traffic with a new motorbike in the shape of the Jaguar car logo of a pouncing big cat. It even has the numberplate CAT 1.

Barend Hemmes’s super-sleek creation, made from the parts of an old 1,200cc Buell 97 S3 Thunderbolt bike bought on eBay, is a one-off. It is more than 6ft long and does about 60 miles on seven litres of petrol.

Mr Hemmes, 36, an interior designer and motorbike fanatic who lives in Bermondsey, South London, came up with the idea while doodling in the office. He said: “I was combining corporate logos with motorbikes and I suddenly realised how well the two went together.” He had no experience of building a motorbike but, with help from Polar Cycles, a motorcycle maker in Doncaster, South Yorksire, his idea took shape. He said: “I did all the fibreglass bodywork with a sculptor and the guys from Polar Cycles did the stainless-steel frame. The finished product was so much better than I ever expected. It’s a labour of love.”

The bike, built for cruising rather than racing, reaches speeds of 50mph. Hemmes said: “It certainly turns head - people are fascinated with it. They always smile. It’s nice that it has that effect on people.”

He has not put a price on the unique bike but said he would be pleased with offers of about £320,000, which would include the £240,000 cost of the numberplate.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Iran arrests relatives of opposition leaders
• Banksy rival has final word in art feud
• Electrician travels 175 miles to change bulb