Singer Billy Joel plans to auction off his motorbikes due to health concerns
Billy Joel, the iconic pop music mainstay since the 1970s, has announced the closure of his Long Island motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles, and the auctioning of his extensive motorcycle collection later in 2025 due to his diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a rare brain disorder[1][2][3].
Located in Oyster Bay since 2010, the shop housed over 75 vintage motorcycles, including valuable models like a 1952 Vincent Rapide[2][3]. Joel, who is 76 years old, had hoped the shop would encourage motorcycling awareness and serve as a cultural hub combining his music and motorcycle passions[1][2].
NPH causes symptoms such as memory impairment, urinary issues, and balance problems. These health challenges led Joel to cancel all upcoming shows earlier in the year and now to close the motorcycle shop and sell his collection[2]. His lease on the shop will not be renewed, and the bikes have already been moved out, with a public auction planned, though no exact date has been announced[3][4][5].
Joel has been a passionate collector of motorcycles for years, and in a promotional video, he described his preference for the older style of motorcycles[6]. His bike collection, as stated on the shop's website, consists of over 70 bikes, including some that date back to the 1940s[5].
The closure of the shop marks a significant change for Joel, who has long been associated with motorcycles in his public persona. Motorcycles have been featured in his music videos, such as "Uptown Girl," where he is shown whisking away a woman on the back of his motorcycle[7]. Joel also sings about riding a motorcycle in the rain in the song "You May Be Right."
Local community members have expressed disappointment at the closure of the shop, recognizing it as a popular destination and part of Oyster Bay’s identity, particularly since the street where it resides was renamed Billy Joel Way in 2023 in his honor[3][4].
Excess fluid and pressure from NPH can cause brain damage. The condition can also cause cognitive impairment, including memory problems and trouble walking[8]. Joel's publicist announced that he will be auctioning off his bike collection later this year[5].
References: 1. Billy Joel closes motorcycle shop on Long Island 2. Billy Joel's Motorcycle Shop Closing Due to Health Issues 3. Billy Joel's Motorcycle Shop to Close on Long Island 4. Billy Joel's Motorcycle Shop Closing: What's Next for 20th Century Cycles? 5. Billy Joel to auction off his motorcycle collection 6. Billy Joel Talks Motorcycles in Promotional Video 7. Uptown Girl (music video) 8. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)
- Billy Joel's battle with the neurological disorder Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) has led to the auctioning of his extensive motorcycle collection, which houses rare and vintage models, later in 2025.
- Despite being a popular destination and part of Oyster Bay’s identity, the motorcycle shop 20th Century Cycles, owned by music icon Billy Joel, will be closed due to his diagnosis of NPH, a medical-condition causing memory impairment, urinary issues, and balance problems.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and entertainment, Billy Joel's motorcycle enthusiast persona has been a significant part of his career, with appearances in music videos such as "Uptown Girl" and songs like "You May Be Right," and his support for the promotion of motorcycling.
