About RVNO

Keeping Nortons alive in the Blue Ridge

How We Got Started

When Dave Youngblood moved to Roanoke, Virginia in 1983 with his 2 Commandos, he also brought along his passion for Norton motorcycles. In a desire to welcome like-minded people, he formed Roanoke British Iron in 1988. This was the original name of our chapter within the United States Norton Owners Association (USNOA). In 1992, the USNOA merged with the Canadian NOA to form the International Norton Owners Association (INOA). Our chapter is under the INOA umbrella.

Dave's first recruit to our club was Todd Blevins. Todd, a serious motorcyclist since high school, was intrigued by the legendary Norton marquee. Another early member was Myron Aust, a true motorcycle aficiondo.

A few years later, Dave introduced Nortons to his veterinarian, Mark Finkler. Mark's riding experience was solely on Japanese motorcycles. Dave encouraged him to try a British bike - the iconic Norton Commando. Todd found a 73' 750 Commando and arranged to have it shipped from Colorado to Roanoke. This became Mark's first (and only) Norton.

Dave, Todd and Mark organized a small coterie of motorcyclists enthusiasts in the Roanoke area. Dave willingly shared his knowledge of all-things Norton, lent his wrenching experience, and encouraged participation in various Norton rallies.

Eventually, they decided to change the chapter name to be more brand-specific: the Roanoke Valley Norton Owners.

What We're About

At its heart, RVNO is about three things:

Riding: Because these bikes were meant to be ridden, not just admired. We organize regular rides through some of the best motorcycling country in America.

Friendship: The camaraderie that comes from sharing a passion for machines that require equal parts mechanical skill and blind optimism.

Keeping Nortons Alive: Through shared knowledge, spare parts, and the occasional emergency roadside repair, we help each other keep these classic bikes on the road.

We're a laid-back group that welcomes anyone with an appreciation for Norton motorcycles — whether you own one, used to own one, or just think they're pretty neat. No membership dues, no complicated rules, just good people who enjoy British bikes and good roads.

Our Backyard: The Blue Ridge Mountains

The Roanoke Valley sits right in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, which means we're blessed with some of the finest motorcycling roads in the country. The Blue Ridge Parkway is practically in our backyard, offering 469 miles of scenic, winding roads with virtually no commercial traffic.

We consider the greater Roanoke Valley region to include the following counties: Roanoke, Montgomery, Franklin, Floyd, Patrick and Craig. Here are found some "twisties" that rival the famous Route 129 (The Tail of the Dragon) and Ohio Route 555 (The Triple Nickel). Riding our local roads confirms the adage: You just can't beat the sweet sound of a Norton coming on full throttle while exiting a mountain curve!

Part of Something Bigger

RVNO is proud to be affiliated with the International Norton Owners Association (INOA), an organization dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of Norton motorcycles. Through the INOA, we connect with Norton enthusiasts across the U.S. and Canada, as well the occasional international Norton enthusiast.

Visit INOA →