Billy Joel is preparing to part ways with a major passion project as he continues to navigate a serious health condition.
The legendary musician, 76, will shut down his Long Island motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles, in late September and auction off his extensive collection of bikes later this year, his representative Claire Mercuri confirmed to the Associated Press.
The decision comes months after Joel revealed he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a neurological disorder that affects balance, vision, and hearing.
Joel first disclosed his diagnosis in May, sharing that symptoms had been ‘exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance.’
Under medical guidance, he has been undergoing physical therapy and has been advised to step away from performing.
As a result, all of his scheduled shows through July 2026 have been canceled.
Billy Joel is preparing to part ways with a major passion project as he continues to navigate a serious health condition; seen in 2018
According to the Cleveland Clinic, NPH occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates inside the skull and puts pressure on the brain.
The condition primarily impacts older adults and is typically treated by surgically implanting a shunt to drain the fluid.
Joel’s shop in Oyster Bay opened in 2010 and quickly became a destination for motorcycle enthusiasts and tourists alike.
The facility served not only as a workshop for restoring and customizing bikes but also as a gallery showcasing his personal collection — which includes more than 75 motorcycles spanning decades and brands such as Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Indian, and BMW.
Among the most notable pieces is a rare 1952 Vincent Rapide, a model that can command tens of thousands of dollars at auction.
In a 2013 YouTube video filmed at the shop, the singer explained his motivation for opening the space.
‘It’s basically promoting an aesthetic here. I like 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 bike looked like. Because it’s starting to be a lost aesthetic,’ he told fans.
Joel added that the venture was also a way to boost the local economy in Oyster Bay, the upscale waterfront community where he grew up just miles away in Hicksville.
The legendary musician, 76, will shut down his Long Island motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles, in late September and auction off his extensive collection of bikes later this year
The decision comes months after Joel revealed he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a neurological disorder that affects balance, vision, and hearing (seen in 2010)
‘I’ve been living in this community for a long time,’ he said in the video. ‘I actually grew up not far from here. And I’d like to get a little interest going into the town and the village.’
The town has embraced him in return. In 2023, part of the street where 20th Century Cycles sits was renamed Billy Joel Way.
Joel’s passion for motorcycles stretches back decades, though it has not been without risk.
In 1982, he was badly injured on Long Island when a car ran a red light and struck his bike, leaving him with a dislocated wrist and an injured thumb.
Joel first disclosed his diagnosis in May, sharing that symptoms had been ‘exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance’ (pictured in January 2024)
He recovered after a month in the hospital and remained an avid rider, often using motorcycles to participate in charity events supporting causes such as 9/11 first responders and breast cancer research.
While Joel has been spending more time in South Florida, he still maintains homes on Long Island, including a Centre Island estate currently listed for $29.9 million.
A date for the auction of his motorcycles has yet to be announced.
Billy’s illustrious career as a musician began back in the mid-1960s, which led to the release of debut studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971).
Billy’s illustrious career as a musician began back in the mid-1960s, which led to the release of debut studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971); seen earlier this year
But it failed to gain any real traction until after the success of his follow-up, Piano Man (1973), that peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Adult Contemporary singles chart.
Now an established name on the musical landscape, Joel became a million seller with the release of Streetlife Serenade (1974), but his commercial breakout making him a bonafide star came with the release of The Stranger (1977), which featured the hit singles Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Just The Way You Are, She’s Always a Woman, The Stranger, and Only The Good Die Young.
He would go on to release a 13th album – Fantasies & Delusions (2001) – that features classical compositions from Joel, a first for him during his career.
With over 160 million records sold worldwide, Billy Joel is one of the world’s best-selling musical artists, and the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States.
