Billy Joel’s iconic motorcycle shop ‘20th Century Cycles’ will be shutting down as a result of the singer's brain disorder diagnosis.
Earlier in the year, the American singer revealed that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder where excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside your skull and presses on your brain. As a result he had to cancel all of his upcoming gigs including his headline UK shows.
Now it has been announced that Joel will also be closing down his beloved motorcycle shop and garage in Long Island this September. The ‘Vienna’ singer's famous collection of bikes will be auctioned off at the end of the year.
Joel, who grew up nearby in Hicksville, always loved classic motorcycles and opened ‘20th Century Cycles’ as a place to maintain and repair his motorcycles, restore and customise ones he bought and showcase his collection for the public for free.
He also wanted to bring more foot traffic to the area where the street the shop was on had actually been renamed to ‘Billy Joel Way’ in 2023.
“It’s basically promoting an aesthetic here," he said in a 2013 YouTube video filmed at the shop. "I like the older style. I like the automotive style from the ‘30s to the ’60s. I wanted to collect a whole bunch of those kinds of bikes, put ’em in one place and let people see what that era of bikes looked like. Because it’s starting to be a lost aesthetic.”
The ‘Piano Man’ singer’s collection includes over 75 bikes dating back all the way to the 1940s and including Harley-Davidsons, Indians, Ducatis, Moto Guzzis, Triumphs and BMWs. The shop became a popular spot for bikers and music fans alike.
The most valuable bike in his collection is said to be a 1952 Vincent Rapide, which can sell for tens of thousands of dollars.
A date for the auction of Joel's collection has yet to be set.
Giving an update on his health on a podcast he said he currently feels “fine” and the disorder “sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling”.
However, he added that his “balance sucks”, likening it to “being on a boat”.
“It’s not fixed, it’s still being worked on,”
Joel also said that the cause of the brain disorder is unknown but he has suspicions it may be due to his past drinking habits.
The shop has already begun moving some motorcycles out but is still selling new , used and vintage motorcycle parts.
