'You can't throw money at a problem', a popular cliché that politicians like to tell us. Especially if they don't want to fund or resolve a problem. But in many circumstances, it's the only way to move forward.

Take John Bloor, for instance. A rich property developer who had no interest in motorcycling. Until he bought Triumph. He recognised the importance of investing in top development and manufacturing facilities. And now sells bikes that compete in the world market.

Stuart Garner is a motorcyclist. Like many of us, he began riding in his teens. He loved everything riding motorcycles can bring. He now produces a motorcycle whose name resonates with hundreds of stories of a famous bike on road and track.

He lives and works at Donington Hall. A stately home close to the race track that shares the name. He hosts a monthly bike night there throughout the summer because he likes to be close to his customers and motorcyclists.  

This didn't spring from nowhere, of course. Garner has made a lot of money as a business person. He developed a large fireworks company and became a successful trader in the world's stock markets. This provided a financial basis for investing in Norton.

In 2007 he bought Spondon Engineering, a motorcycle frame and parts manufacturer. It was when the company was building a prototype Norton rotary racer that it realised it didn't have the rights to use the Norton name.

The following year, dodgy dealing coupled with greed brought the world financial markets to near collapse. An investment banker named Ollie Curme owned the Norton name at the time. He had spent several million dollars trying to get the bikes produced again in the US.

He'd given Stuart Garner permission to use the Norton name for the rotary. Curme's financial star waned when Lehman Brothers, the huge investment bank, went under. He telephoned Garner, offering to sell Norton. He agreed, flew to New York, and the deal was done in a few days.

At this stage, Garner had no premises, no bikes, and no staff. Only a few CDs illustrating engineering drawings and specifications, plus four prototypes. Would this venture turn out to be another false start for Norton?

In the nineties, the bike brand had several global owners but failed to live up to the promise of a new range of bikes. But Stuart Garner is a determined man. He was able to put a team and the finance together to start bringing the new Nortons to market.

What's admirable about Garner's Norton rebirth is his commitment to training new engineering apprentices.  He successfully attracted government funding for this, recruited and trained people throughout the manufacturing process engaged in by Norton and its supply partners.

Apparently, he sent a tweet to George Osborne (remember him?). He'd recently announced an investment of £10 million for the Ford motor company to build cleaner engines. Garner wanted to bring his attention to the successful work they were doing at Norton. His discussion with Osborne yielded some £4 million from the government and £2.5 million from banking sources.  Money to invest in the motorcycle industry manufacturing supply chain and apprentice academy. His aim is to rekindle the skills which have been lost down the years in this type of high-end engineering.

I've gone from being a sceptic, to being one of the thousands who has clustered around the Norton stand at various shows admiring the design and specification of its range.

This is not mass production in terms of taking on the big Japanese builders or the likes of BMW and Piaggio. Norton builds bikes for a newer market. Riders whose motorcycle is a source of pure pleasure. Those who don't necessarily use their bike for utilitarian purposes.

Last year came news that the company would be launching a new model , the 1200cc V4. It's now confirmed that it will be available in the metal, so to speak, in 2017, as a limited edition model of 200 bikes. Word on the street is that the first batch has all been sold.

It's difficult to get exact information about the price of these 200bhp machines. £44,000 is the figure which has been bandied around the motorcycle media. Definitely an example of 'if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it'. The bike should be on display at Motorcycle Live at the NEC in November.

Beak Street in London's Soho district. An area for restaurants, clubs, bars, some disreputable premises and criminality. Not a place to head for if you're looking for motorcycle related activity.

Not anymore, though. Because on 29th Septemeber at number 47, Norton opened a shop to sell its branded paraphernalia and display its motorcycle range. It had to be seen as part of the 'lifestyle' direction that is becoming familiar. Harley is well established at this. Royal Enfield has too opened several stores that are clearly aimed at attracting new interest through clothing and accessories as well as bikes.

Norton says it will have bikes available for potential buyers to take out on the road. Have you experienced the congestion that is central London traffic these days? Hmm. But anything that presents a positive image for biking is to be welcomed. And in this location, it should attract people who wouldn't normally have the opportunity to see bikes close up and personal.

Stuart Garner and the team at Norton are turning out 1,000 bikes per year, of which around 80% go for export. They are training a group of young people who will have the skills to keep producing the hand built machines and the components that go to make them up. The Norton race team achieved a seventh place in this year's Superbike TT too. Good going for a project that has only been underway for eight years.

It's possible to see the Norton revival in practical action by making a visit to the factory set in the grounds of the grand and gothic Donington Hall. Go to www.nortonmotorcycles.com.

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20/10/16 - Let's hope they continue to be a success like Triumph have.

20/10/16 - Looking forward to our trip to Norton in November