Americans should prepare another wave of British invasions as the classic motorcycle name of Norton rides its way onto the shores of the United States.

In a year that saw a redesigned line of Norton motorcycles under the company's new British management, the classic name has announced the executive to lead the charge and bring the three different Commando models to North America.

No stranger to bringing foreign brands to American tastes, Dan Van Epps is the former CEO of Ducati North America, where he also served as Director of Overseas Markets and head of Product Marketing for Ducati while based in Bologna, Italy.

“We have been producing the new 961 Commandos for almost two years, and the orders have been well beyond our most enthusiastic expectations. We’ve had to ramp-up production much earlier than anticipated to grow on pace with our customer’s requests”, said Norton's owner and CEO Stuart Garner.

Van Epps will lead efforts to reestablish the iconic British brand in the United States with shipments of the new machines expected to start in May 2011.

“The exciting news is that we are now ready to enter the important US market, and we’ve chosen Dan Van Epps be CEO of Norton Motorcycles USA. Dan’s depth of experience, and our policy here at Norton to add to the team only the best motorcycle industry professionals, makes him a perfect fit”.

Models expected to ride the American highways include the traditional Commando 961 Sport, the 961 Cafe Racer and the performance 961 SE.

Every model features an impressive 961cc computer controlled, fuel injected, counter balanced, parallel twin engine, accompanied by the world’s finest components like Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes.

The Norton Company was founded in 1898 by James Lansdowne Norton in the British city of Birmingham. The brand gained popularity for its performance on the pre-World War 2 racing circuits forever cementing its image as a café racer motorcycle. Under new ownership in the 1950’s the Norton brand found a following among privateer racing teams as well as riding enthusiasts in England.

Next year won’t be the first time Norton Motorcycles were seen on American roads. The famous brand first made its way onto American shores in 1960 with the exclusive 650cc Norton Manxman model.

But the company would face the same challenges other manufacturers felt when Japanese motorcycles grew popular in the late 1960’s. After decades of mergers, government subsidies, controversies and even spending time under American ownership, the Norton brand was secured by British businessman Stuart Garner. Based out of the legendary Donington Park, the new 15,000 sq. ft. Norton factory has worked hard over the last twenty-four months producing motorcycles carrying the legendary name.

While trying to retain the mystique that made Norton Motorcycles popular, the new models have many new features and modern luxuries such as fuel injection, electronic ignition and even a new powerhouse; a new engine developed by Norton and F1 engine builders, MCT of Oxfordshire.

The redesign of Norton has manage to include the famous logo. Company legend has it that the identity was created at the family dining room table with help from his eldest daughter, Ethel. The "curly N" logo has since been redrawn, adapted and embellished upon on numerous occasions. The new and final design has won praise from brand experts as well as the Norton fan base.

But the push to find its new road to the American market may be driven (or ridden as the case may be) by the success of another British motorcycle manufacturer that brought back an iconic brand.

Triumph motorcycles reportedly saw profits make substantial increases last year. Even as overall sales fell slightly Triumph grew operating profit by 504 per cent for the year to the end of June, compared to the previous year.

The profit acceleration was the result of "strong sales of motorcycles and related products, benefiting from better cost control, improved use of working capital and favorable impact from currency exchange rates," according to a spokesperson.

While a Norton Motorcycles may be aimed at a smaller niche of riders, the company is looking forward to making its way officially across the Atlantic.

“This is really an exciting opportunity for us, and we are all confident about our future, however, I am keenly aware of the magnitude of the responsibility in the introduction of Norton to the USA”, said the newly appointed Van Epps.

“We are fulfilling the dream and delivering the excitement of a truly iconic all British motorcycle. Partnering with dealers who likewise understand the significance of this brand and its rich heritage is critically important and will be the key to our success,” he noted.