“Billy Joel to Sell Off Motorcycle Collection Amid Health Concerns as 20th Century Cycles Prepares to Shut Down”
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“Back in May, Joel disclosed that he was undergoing treatment for a rare neurological condition.”
Billy Joel to Close Long Island Motorcycle Shop and Auction Off Collection Amid Health Struggles
Billy Joel is preparing to part ways with his motorcycle haven on Long Island.
His Oyster Bay storefront, 20th Century Cycles, will officially shut its doors in late September after the 76-year-old musician opted not to extend the lease, his representative confirmed to PEOPLE. The shop, which has long housed Joel’s personal motorcycles, will also see his collection head to auction later this year due to ongoing medical challenges, spokesperson Claire Mercuri explained.
Joel first disclosed in May that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a rare brain disorder. At the time, his team shared that the condition had been aggravated by recent performances, leading to issues with hearing, vision, and balance.
A Hicksville native, Joel launched 20th Century Cycles in November 2010 as a gathering spot for motorcycle fans. In a Q&A on his website, he said he envisioned the store as “a focal point for people out riding on weekends,” noting that it wasn’t about the “biker outlaw” stereotype but rather a celebration of motorcycles’ broad appeal.
By 2013, Joel explained that the space had become an exhibition hall for his personal collection, built over three decades. “I’ve always loved the style of bikes from the 1930s through the 1960s,” he said in a video filmed at the shop. “I wanted to bring those machines together so people could appreciate the look and design of that era, which is slowly fading away.”
More recently, Joel spoke candidly about his health in July while promoting his two-part documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes. “I know people are concerned, but I’m doing okay,” he told PEOPLE. “This is something very few people are familiar with, myself included, no matter how much I’ve tried to learn about it. All I can do is work through it and keep focusing on recovery.”