Billy Joel Is Auctioning More Than 70 Vintage Motorcycles, Including A Triumph Madison Square Garden Gave Him After His 150th Sold Out Show

Billy Joel is selling more than 70 vintage motorcycles at auction, and one of them is a Triumph that Madison Square Garden gave him to mark his 150th sold-out show there. The 77-year-old has collected and restored vintage bikes for decades.

Vintage motorcycle with whitewall tires parked against a gray wooden wall

Gooding Christie’s will present the Billy Joel Motorcycle Collection at Retromobile NY in November.

Report: Supercar Blondie

He Ran A Free Museum And Shop On Long Island

Joel ran 20th Century Cycles on Long Island, a free museum and shop, until 2025. The bikes in the sale come from a lifetime of collecting and fixing up old machines.

The collection includes bikes from Ducati, BMW, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha and other makers.

“I Can’t Ride As Much As I Used To”

Joel told The Hollywood Reporter that he is in his 70s now, and that he “can’t ride as much as I used to.”

So he decided to turn many of the bikes over to someone else.

The Triumph From Madison Square Garden

The 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville was a gift from Madison Square Garden to mark Joel’s 150th sold-out show at the arena. It is expected to bring $10,000 to $15,000.

A bike like that carries a story that money cannot easily measure.

A Ducati Honoring An Isle Of Man Comeback

The 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica is expected to sell for $15,000 to $25,000. It honors the bike Mike Hailwood rode to his comeback victory on the Isle of Man in 1978.

It is the kind of machine motorcycle fans talk about for years.

When And Where The Bidding Happens

Public previews begin November 19. The auctions take place on November 20 and 21 at the Javits Center in New York.

Gooding Christie’s president David Gooding said the house is honored to present the collection.

Bikes Built By People Who Cared

Joel said he has always been drawn to bikes built by people who cared about getting every detail right. That taste runs through the whole collection.

The report contrasts his bikes with celebrity car collections, pointing to Tim Allen and Jay Leno as examples. Joel’s collection leans on motorcycles that fans of classic two-wheelers will recognize.

What Is A Bonneville, And Why Does It Matter?

The Triumph Bonneville takes its name from the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where Triumph set speed records in the 1950s. The name became one of the most famous in motorcycling.

The T140 is a later version of that classic parallel-twin design. For many riders, the sound and the look of a Bonneville are the heart of vintage motorcycling.

Why Mike Hailwood Still Matters

Mike Hailwood was one of the great racers, and his 1978 comeback win on the Isle of Man is a legend in the sport. Ducati built a replica of the bike he rode, and the 1982 model in Joel’s collection honors that moment.

Replica machines like this let owners connect with racing history without owning the race bike itself.

A Pair Of Estimates Fans Can Understand

The two named bikes carry estimates of $10,000 to $15,000 and $15,000 to $25,000. Those numbers may surprise people who expect celebrity items to cost millions.

The bidding could land above or below them, since auctions are driven by who shows up and how much they want a bike.

A Collector Who Rode, Fixed And Shared

Joel did not just buy these bikes and park them. He restored many of them, rode them and shared them with visitors at his free museum and shop.

That approach is a good model for any collector. Machines like these are meant to be used and enjoyed, and the best collections carry the stories of the people who loved them.

Why Vintage Motorcycles Are Such A Good Hobby

Vintage bikes are easier to work on than most modern machines. They have simpler engines, fewer electronics and parts you can reach with basic tools.

They are also more affordable than classic cars, and they take up less room in a garage. Many owners find friends at rallies and swap meets.

Buying An Old Bike At Auction Without Getting Burned

Read the catalog carefully and check the preview in person if you can. Photos hide scratches, leaks and worn parts.

Check that the frame and engine numbers match the paperwork. Titles and registration are especially important for older motorcycles.

Ask whether the bike has been run recently. A bike that sat for years may need a carburetor rebuild, new tires, fresh fluids and a new battery before it is safe to ride.

Budget for the buyer’s premium, shipping and taxes. The hammer price is only part of the cost.

Finally, take a riding course if you have not ridden in years. Old bikes have quirks, and a refresher keeps the fun going.

Whatever happens at the Javits Center, Joel is giving fans a rare chance to own a piece of his story.

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