Billy Joel Has Closed His Motorcycle Museum And Is Selling More Than 70 Of His Incredible Bikes, Check Them Out

Billy Joel is known as one of the most famous musicians of all time. Joel has sold more than 150 million records, raked in various Grammy and Tony awards, and has his name on bangers like “Piano Man” and “New York State of Mind.” He was also a prolific motorcycle collector. Now, after amassing a fleet of over 70 awesome motorcycles, Joel is sending them all to new homes and letting go of some incredible bikes in the upcoming Gooding Christie’s and Rétromobile New York Auctions. Let’s take a look at some of the icons that you can buy.

Billy Joel is far more than just the legendary Piano Man. When he isn’t enveloped in music, he’s quite the motorcycle enthusiast. Joel has collected motorcycles over the course of several decades, and his squadron of bikes includes a little bit of everything. A quick search of the armada reveals rides from across the spectrum under brands like BMW, BSA, Ducati, Genuine Scooter, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Indian, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, OCC, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Vincent, and Yamaha. He even has a Nymans Autoped, a 1941 Chevrolet three-quarter-ton truck, and a canoe in the collection. As Rolling Stone writes, Joel didn’t just collect good-condition motorcycles, either, as he loved to find neglected machines to bring them back into their prime.

Last year, Billy Joel made the heartbreaking decision to close his 20th Century Cycles motorcycle museum, a display of over 75 motorcycles that was free for all to enjoy. The decision came after Joel was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a condition that the Hydrocephalus Association describes as “a neurological disorder characterized by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricles, leading to symptoms such as difficulty walking (gait disturbances), cognitive challenges often confused as Alzheimer’s, and urinary incontinence.” Thankfully, this condition is treatable and even potentially reversible, but it has caused Joel to slow down in doing what he loves.

Joel has since canceled all of his scheduled shows and closed down the motorcycle museum that he ran since 2010. Instead of performing concerts, Joel’s been using his massive platform and fame to educate the world about the condition that he and many like him face. As the Hydrocephalus Association notes, one million Americans live with hydrocephalus, yet many go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s Disease or Parkinson’s Disease, which may mean that they may not get proper treatment.

Joel has done things like this throughout his career, lending his name to causes like the Elton John AIDS Foundation, charities for 9/11 first responders, charities for breast cancer research, Stomp Out Bullying, Love Our Children USA, and more. Last year, it was said that he was going to sell off his motorcycles, but the auction date and its details had proven elusive. Now, the sale is finally happening, and in true Billy Joel style, the proceeds will go to charity. Or, specifically, the Joel Foundation, which, among other things, supports causes like the arts and humanitarian relief.

So, it sounds like if you were to buy a bike from this auction, you’ll be getting a piece of motorcycling history and doing some good, too.

20th Century Cycles

If you missed out on being able to visit Joel’s museum, you’re not alone. I never found the time to make the trek out to Oyster Bay, New York, to Joel’s 20th Century Cycles before it closed.

Here’s what the museum was all about, from Billy Joel:

20th Century Cycles is the culmination of Billy Joel’s love of motorcycles and his passion for motorcycle design. Since, in his opinion, he believes that vintage motorcycles look better and, since he also is aware that modern motorcycles tend to work better, all of the bikes in the collection have been transformed in one way or another into rideable, practical machines with a nod toward the past.

The shop, as it stands today, was born out of necessity: the need for space. As the collection grew it became apparent that in order to properly build, store, and service the 75+ bikes in the collection a larger, more accommodating facility was needed. The perfect shop was found where we could do all of the things mentioned plus share the collection with the public.

20th Century Cycles does not sell or maintain bikes outside of the collection. Nor do we sell parts or accessories. We are here to simply maintain and augment the collection and share it with the motorcycling community.

The Billy Joel Motorcycle Collection Auction

As far as the auction goes, Gooding Christie’s announced the Billy Joel Motorcycle Collection sale before actually finishing populating the lots for the auction. You can check out the 2026 Rétromobile New York Auction lots right now and see a ton of motorcycles, but none of the listings are populated with details. It’s hard to tell who is selling which vehicle.

Gooding Christie’s itself gives only this paragraph:

Among the most captivating motorcycles in the collection is a 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville (Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000, Without Reserve), gifted to Mr. Joel by Madison Square Garden on the occasion of his 150th sold-out show at the world-famous venue. The custom-painted motorcycle was commissioned especially for Mr. Joel and is accompanied by a matching helmet listing every single show and year he played at Madison Square Garden. To date, Mr. Joel still maintains the record for the highest number of sold-out shows at the venue.

The collection also includes an iconic 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica (Estimate: $15,000 – $25,000, Without Reserve), marketed by Ducati to commemorate the motorcycle that Mike Hailwood rode to his legendary comeback victory at the 1978 Isle of Man. A restored 1975 Ducati 750 Sport (Estimate: $25,000 – $35,000, Without Reserve), one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever conceived, also joins the sale.

Through some digging, I’ve been able to match some of the other bikes in the upcoming auction to Joel’s collection.

Nymans Autoped

Built by Nymanbolagen AB in Sweden, this motorized bicycle took advantage of new moped rules in Sweden that allowed anyone as young as 15 years old to ride without a license. The bicycle sports a cute 31cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine.

1954 NSU Max

The American Motorcyclist Association magazine gives this history about the NSU Max:

After World War II, Germany was rebuilding and NSU, which had its roots in sewing machines and bicycles before transitioning to cars and motorcycles at the turn of the century, was re-invented again. One of the more notable models was the NSU Max. The Max was powered by an air-cooled 250cc engine with overhead camshafts driven by two connecting rods running alongside the cylinder—a patented design. The most distinctive feature was the pressed frame with its graceful, flowing lines. The elegance was accentuated by pinstriping, flared fenders and functional control layout.

The NSU Max was more than just a stylish looker. It was also a performer. Factory racebikes, including the Rennmax and the Sportmax, improved on the stock model. The brand won numerous championships at every level in all disciplines. At one of the last factory-sponsored efforts, NSU set 54 world speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, most notably a 210.64 mph world record piloted by Wilhelm Herz.

That 250cc engine makes a respectable 17 HP in this NSU. It’s not fast, but it’s very classy!

1962 Norton Atlas/Commando

Joel is a fan of custom bikes, be it a low chopper or a sleek café racer. This motorcycle was built by NYC Norton using the frame of a 1962 Atlas and the engine of a 1975 Commando. When new, the Commando’s engine was an 829cc air-cooled parallel twin with 60 horsepower on deck. What made the Atlas special was its “Featherbed” frame, which replaced rigid frames with something a bit more modern. From Motorcycle Classics:

In 1950, Norton’s racer got a new frame designed by Rex McCandless. A double downtube steel cradle with a swingarm rear suspension, its superior handling characteristics influenced frame design for decades to come. Asked what it was like riding the new Norton, works rider Harold Daniell replied that it was so comfortable it was “just like riding on a feather bed.” The name stuck, and the Featherbed frame became synonymous with superb handling.

2014 Yamaha Bolt

Something I love about Joel’s collection is that he didn’t just limit himself to vintage motorcycles or even to the icons. According to Alex Puls, Joel’s motorcycle mechanic, Joel not only bought a Yamaha Bolt when it was first put on sale for the 2014 model year, but he rode it everywhere. The Bolt entered production in 2013, and Yamaha admits that the bike’s entire mission is to be an American-style cruiser going up against the likes of Harley-Davidson and Indian.

Joel could have picked any Harley he wanted, but instead, he got the Yamaha designed to beat Harley at its own game. Power comes from a 942cc V-twin making about 52 HP (reports on exact output vary). Think of it as a Harley-Davidson Sportster by Yamaha.

1941 Chevrolet AK 3/4-Ton Truck

Every good motorcycle museum needs to have a shop truck, and Joel picked a fine piece of history. Produced from 1941 to 1947, the AK series represented a revolutionary change in General Motors truck design. In earlier Chevrolet trucks, styling usually followed car design. Now, the trucks got their own styling, and the AK embraced the Art Deco era. Built on the GM A-platform, the Chevrolet AK series was adorned with a 216 cubic-inch straight-six. An output is not noted, but common engine configurations put out around 83 HP net. This truck is backed by a four-speed manual.

Here are some other neat bikes in Joel’s collection:

Royal Enfield Scrambler

1960 BMW R60 With 1975 R90/S Drivetrain “Wehrmacht Gespann”

1999 Kawasaki Drifter

1982 Moto Guzzi V50 Monza

1975 Ducati 750 Sport

Harley-Davidson Panhead

1979 Triumph T140

In talking about this auction, Joel says, “I’ve always been drawn to bikes built by people who cared about getting every detail right. I’ve loved building this collection. Now it’s someone else’s turn to hit the road.”

Gooding Christie’s says that the Rétromobile New York Auctions take place on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21 at the Javits Center in New York City. A selection of Joel’s motorcycles from the auction will be on display at the Christie’s Rockefeller Center from October 8 through October 12. If you want in on the auction, click here to register.

While it’s sad to see the death of yet another motorcycle museum, it’s warming to know that the story is not over for this motorcycle collection. A bunch of people are going to end their 2026 with some new steeds in their stables, and Joel’s charity will have some cash to hopefully do more good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some machines to drool over.

Top graphic images: Gooding Christies