When you hear the name Billy Joel, you probably think of Piano Man, Madison Square Garden, or his record-breaking tours. But behind the music, Joel has spent decades building one of the most jaw-dropping motorcycle collections in the United States. Now, with his Oyster Bay shop, 20th Century Cycles, closing in September 2025 and his fleet headed to auction, riders and collectors are eagerly awaiting the display.
Over 75 bikes (some say closer to 100) span from the 1940s to today, representing British racing legends, American iron, Italian exotics, and one-off customs. Even more impressive, every bike was kept rideable.
Joel’s mechanic, Alex Rosenthal, once explained that every machine was on a trickle charger and “ready to ride.” That’s rare. Too many collections are lifeless displays; Joel’s was a living museum.
As Joel himself put it in a 2013 interview:
“I like the automotive style from the ’30s to the ’60s. I wanted people to see what that era of bikes looked like. It’s starting to be a lost aesthetic.”
The Crown Jewel
No bike better captures that “lost aesthetic” than Joel’s 1952 Vincent Rapide Series C. Hand-built in Britain, only about 11,000 Vincents were ever made. Today, they’re as much sculpture as motorcycle.
Joel once treated his Rapide like a coffee table, displaying it as art. On the auction block, it could fetch anywhere from $39,000 to $66,000, according to Hagerty. For context, pre-war Vincents can sell for over half a million dollars.
Italian Legends
Joel had a soft spot for Italian machines, and two marques stand out:
- 1978 Ducati 900SS – A race-bred icon with auction values topping $27,000 in pristine condition. Motorcycle historian Paul d’Orléans once called the 900SS “the purest expression of Ducati’s racing soul.”
- Moto Guzzi Le Mans Collection – With at least seven Le Mans models plus ex-police Ambassadors and El Dorados, Joel showcased the breadth of Italian V-twin engineering. These bikes balanced speed with durability, and in Joel’s garage, they stood shoulder to shoulder with Harleys and Triumphs.
British Icons
The British invasion didn’t just belong to The Beatles. Joel’s collection included machines that defined an era:
- Triumph Bonneville T120s – The quintessential British twin. Joel even had a commemorative model gifted from Madison Square Garden.
- Norton Commando & Atlas – Café racer legends that fueled a generation of riders in leather jackets.
- BSA Gold Star DBD34 – A 499cc single with racing DNA from Brooklands. Good-condition Gold Stars today command $15,000–$25,000 at auction.
American Iron
No American collection is complete without Harley-Davidson and Indian. Joel’s lineup included:
- 1938 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead EL – Custom restored and one of his most valuable bikes. Hagerty values these at around $58,500, although Mecum auctions have seen Knuckleheads sell for over $220,000.
- 1949 Panhead Bobber – A raw slice of post-war Americana.
- 1977 Harley XLCR Café Racer – A rarity from Milwaukee’s brief flirtation with sportbikes.
- Indian Chief Bobber (2008 Custom + Vintage Wall Mounts) – Tying back to America’s oldest marque, these bikes brought balance to his Harley-heavy lineup
Unique Customs
Joel wasn’t afraid to get creative. Collaborating with 20th Century Cycles, he commissioned one-offs like the “Vinago”, a mashup of a Yamaha Virago and a Vincent design by Greg Hageman.
To fans, these builds might seem oddballs. But to Joel, they embodied his philosophy—respect the past, embrace the present, and build bikes that can actually be ridden.
More Than Just Metal
The upcoming auction has riders split. On Reddit, one fan joked they’d “cuddle with a Billy bike every night.” Others worried these machines will become “garage queens,” locked away instead of thundering down the highway.
Whatever happens, Joel’s collection represents something bigger than dollar signs. It’s a reminder of an era when motorcycles were bold, beautiful, and mechanical works of art.
As New Yorker contributor Ted Bahr put it about the Oyster Bay shop’s closure:
“Everybody in Oyster Bay would agree that it’s a big loss… Billy’s place was visited on weekends by dozens and dozens of people, typically on motorcycles.”
When the gavel finally drops, the rarest motorcycles in Billy Joel’s collection will scatter to new homes. But for the riders who once leaned against the glass at 20th Century Cycles, they’ll always remain part of the Piano Man’s legacy.
