Norton Motorcycles: 122 years of speed for famous brand

Norton is most often associated with decades of competition in the Isle of Man TT race

As globally renowned motorbike builder Norton goes into administration, the BBC looks back on its past glories.

Started by James "Pa" Norton in Birmingham in 1898, the firm was originally a manufacturer of "fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade".

Rem Fowler won the first TT with a Peugeot-engined Norton in May 1907

Between the wars Norton Motorcycles were seen on racetracks around the world

The first motorcycles were built in 1902, winning the first Isle of Man TT race in 1907, though they did not carry the famous logo until 1916.

Between the wars Norton was producing over 4,000 road bikes annually, winning the TT race 10 times.

• Norton Motorcycles goes into administration

During World War Two the firm withdrew from racing but manufactured almost 100,000 sidevalve motorcycles - almost a quarter of all British military motorcycles.

The 1968 Earls Court motor show saw the introduction of the Commando model and more than 500,000 were produced in the next decade.

Norton produced almost a quarter of all British military motorcycles in World War Two

After the war, Norton pushed hard to capture the civilian market

But the 1970s saw increased competition from Japan and the last Commando was produced in 1976.

Norton had a part in movie (and world) history by appearing in a film of Che Guevara's Motorcycle Diaries

After going through a series of owners, the brand was relaunched in 1989 and enjoyed new TT success, beating a Yamaha to win in 1992, the first victory for a British bike for almost 30 years.

The company was a firm favourite with collectors and starred in vintage vehicle races

New models continued to capture the limelight until just months before the firm went into administration

Norton moved to Donington Park, Leicestershire, in 2008 and the name enjoyed renewed attention with appearances in films like The Motorcycle Diaries and James Bond thriller Spectre.

But owner Stuart Garner warned earlier this year Norton owed tax authorities £300,000 and needed more time to pay.