Few motorcycle makers (outside Italy) have had as troubled a history as Norton, which over the last 40 years has undergone periodic revivals, all of which, ultimately, failed. Norton's enduring fascination stems from a reputation forged on the world's racetracks during the first six decades of the 20th Century, when the silver-and-black bikes from the Bracebridge Street factory swept all before them. The revitalised company exists in its present form thanks to British businessman, Stuart Garner, who acquired the rights to the Norton name from its US owners in 2008. Development and production of a new Commando model had been begun by Kenny Dreer of Oregon in the late 1990s and this all-new design was further developed at Norton's factory at the Donington Park race circuit. Recognisably related to the last Commando of the 1970s, the new café racer-style Norton roadster boasts an over-square (88x79mm) air-cooled overhead-valve twin-cylinder engine incorporating a 270° crankshaft and counter-balancer. A maximum output of 82bhp (at the rear wheel) is claimed, giving a top speed of over 130mph.

Deliveries of the new Norton Commando 961SE commenced in 2010, and BBC Television 'Top Gear' presenter and avid motorcycle collector, Richard Hammond was one of the first customers. Interviewed for Bike magazine's July 2014 edition, which featured the machine offered here, he said: 'I saw pictures and wanted one. It's such an evocative name... Then I woke up one morning and ordered one.' Number '45', Richard's is one of the first batch of 200 Commandos fitted with carbon fibre wheels, and it also has the sports exhaust system.
In the intervening five years Richard's Commando has covered relatively few miles (he has a large collection of other motorcycles to choose from) and it remains in pristine 'like new' condition. Representing a wonderful opportunity to acquire one of the exclusive, hand built future classics, 'FJ10 RUH' comes with all of its original paperwork including factory correspondence, order form, stamped service book and old/current V5C registration documents.