Billy Joel to Close Belovedโ motorcycle Shop, Auction collection Amid Health Battle
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Oyster Bay, NY – Singer-songwriter Billy Joel will close the doors of โ20th Century Cycles,โ his renowned motorcycle shop on Long Island,โ in lateโ September. The closure comesโ as Joel navigates a recently diagnosed neurological condition, Normal Pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), and โwill be followed by an auction โฃof his โextensive motorcycle collection.
Opened in late 2010, 20th Century Cycles served as both a workshop for โJoel’sโฃ personal fleet and a public showcase of โฃhis passion forโฃ vintage motorcycles. The โคshop, located at 101 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, New York, offered free admission to โvisitors on weekends, drawing enthusiasts and tourists alike.โค
Joel envisioned the space as more than just a garage. “It’s basically promoting an aesthetic here,” he โexplained in a 2013 YouTube video filmed at the shop. “I like older style. I like the automotive style from the ’30s to the ’60s.I wanted to collect โฃa wholeโฃ bunch of those kinds of bikes, put ’em in one place and let people see what thatโ era of bike looked like.”
The collection boasted over 75 motorcycles, spanning decades of design โฃand engineering, including models from harley-Davidson, Triumph, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Indian, and BMW. A particularly valuable piece was a โ1952 Vincent Rapide, wich can fetch tens of thousands of dollars at auction.
Health Challenges Prompt Closure
In May, Joel announced the cancellation of โupcoming concerts after receiving a diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. NPH, asโข defined โby the Cleveland Clinic, is a buildup ofโ fluid in the brain that canโ impact cognitive functions, balance, and movement . He shared that he was experiencing balance issues but otherwise felt โwell during an interview onโข Bill Maher’s Club Random โ podcast.
The decision to close 20th Century Cycles and auction the collection was made considering โคtheseโ health concerns, according to โฃa statement from his spokesperson, Claire Mercuri.
A Local Landmark and Community Hub
20th Century Cycles quickly became a fixture in Oyster Bay,โค attracting visitors and contributing โคto the โlocal economy. Inโ 2023, a section of the street including the shop was officially renamed billy Joel Way, recognizing his contributions โคto the community.
“I’ve been living in this communityโข for a long time,” Joel said in the 2013 video. “I actually grewโข up not far from here. And I’d like to get a little interest going into the โtown and the village.”
Local business owner Ted Bahr, of the nearby Bahr Gallery, expressedโข the community’s sadness at the news. “I think โขeverybody in โฃOyster Bay would agree that it’s a bigโค loss,” Bahr said. “Billy’s โplace is visited on weekends by dozens and dozens of โpeopleโฆ It’sโ a real destination.”
The motorcycles have already been removed from the shop, but remaining parts and merchandise were available for purchaseโค on recent weekends.
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Shop Name | 20th Century Cycles |
| Location | 101 Audrey Ave, Oyster โBay, NY 11771 |
| Opening Date | Late 2010 |
| Closure Date | Late September 2024 |
| Collection Size | Over 75 motorcycles |
Did You Know?
Billy Joel โwas injured inโฃ a motorcycle accident in 1982, โคsuffering injuries to โคhis left thumb andโ right wrist after being struck by a car on Long Island.
Pro Tip:
For those interested in learning more about Normal pressure Hydrocephalus, the Hydrocephalus Association offers comprehensive resources and support: https://www.hydroassoc.org/
What are your favorite memories โขof Billy Joel or 20th Century Cycles? โ Do you think the auction of his โcollection will attract collectors from around the world?
The Enduring Appeal of Vintage Motorcycles
The interest in vintage motorcycles, likeโ those in Joel’s collection, reflects a broader cultural fascination with classic design, craftsmanship,โ and a bygoneโ era. Restoration and customization of older bikes have become increasingly popular hobbies, fostering a โขdedicated community โof โคenthusiasts. The aesthetic appeal of these machines, often prioritizing form and function, continuesโฃ to inspire contemporary motorcycle design.
Frequently Asked Questionsโ About โฃ20th โCenturyโ Cycles
- What is โhappening to Billy Joel’s motorcycle โcollection? The collection willโข be โauctioned off later this year.
- Why is 20th Century Cycles closing? โ The shop is closing due โฃto Billy Joel’s recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.
- Where was 20th Centuryโ Cycles located? The shopโ was located at 101 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, New York.
- Was 20th Century cycles โขopen to the public? Yes, the shop was open to the public onโข weekends and admission was free.
- What types of motorcycles were in the collection? The โcollection included Harley-Davidsons, Triumphs, Ducatis, Moto Guzzis, Indians, and BMWs.
This news marks the end โฃof โฃan era for โmotorcycle enthusiasts and fans of Billy Joel. While โthe shop’s physical presence โคwill be missed, โฃtheโข legacy of 20th Century Cycles and Joel’s passion for these iconicโข machines will undoubtedly endure.