Billy Joel closing beloved motorcycle shop amid ‘scary’ brain disorder health battle

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Billy Joel is planning to say goodbye to a significant endeavor that has been close to his heart, while dealing with a serious health issue.

Renowned music legend, aged 76, is set to close his Long Island motorcycle shop, known as 20th Century Cycles, towards the end of September. Later in the year, an auction will be held to sell off his extensive inventory of motorcycles, as confirmed by his representative Claire Mercuri to the Associated Press.

The choice was made several months following the disclosure that Joel had been diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition affecting balance, sight, and hearing in the neurological system.

In May, Joel initially revealed his diagnosis. He mentioned that his symptoms had worsened due to some recent concerts, causing issues with his hearing, sight, and balance.

Under the supervision of a doctor, he has been receiving physiotherapy treatments and has been recommended to take a break from his performances.

As a result, all of his scheduled shows through July 2026 have been canceled.

Based on information from the Cleveland Clinic, Non-obstructive Hydrocephalus (NPH) happens when an excessive amount of spinal fluid collects within the skull, leading to pressure against the brain.

Primarily affecting the elderly, this condition is usually managed through a surgical procedure that involves implanting a shunt to help drain excess fluid.

In simpler terms, the motorcycle shop run by Joel, located in Oyster Bay, began operating in 2010. Soon, it gained popularity among motorcycle enthusiasts as well as travelers, making it a notable spot to visit.

The workspace wasn’t just used for repairing and personalizing bicycles, but it also functioned as a display area featuring his extensive motorcycle collection. This collection houses over 75 bikes from various decades and renowned brands like Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Indian, and BMW.

One of the standout items is a scarcely found 1952 Vincent Rapide, a model often fetching tens of thousands of dollars at auctions.

In a 2013 YouTube video recorded inside his store, the artist shared the reasons behind establishing the venue.

He expressed that he is advocating for a specific style here. His preference leans towards the vintage automotive design from the 1930s to the 1960s. His dream is to amass several motorcycles of this era, gather them in one location, and give people a chance to appreciate what bikes from that time period looked like. He noted that this particular aesthetic is gradually fading away.

Joel mentioned that the project also offered an opportunity to stimulate the local economy in the affluent coastal town of Oyster Bay, which is located nearby his hometown, Hicksville.

In the video, he stated that he’s resided in this neighborhood for quite some time. Interestingly enough, his childhood was spent just a short distance away. His hope is to spark a bit of curiosity about both the town and the surrounding village.

The town welcomed him warmly, as shown by renaming a portion of the street that houses 20th Century Cycles to Billy Joel Way, in the year 2023.

Joel’s passion for motorcycles stretches back decades, though it has not been without risk.

In the year 1982, a car running a red light collided with his bicycle on Long Island, causing him severe injuries to his wrist that became dislocated and also injuring his thumb.

After spending a month in the hospital, he made a full recovery and continued to be a dedicated bike enthusiast, frequently employing motorcycles to take part in charity events that championed causes like the support of 9/11 first responders and breast cancer research.

As Joel spends increasingly more time in South Florida, he continues to own properties there, such as an estate on Centre Island valued at approximately $29.9 million along with other homes on Long Island.

A date for the auction of his motorcycles has yet to be announced.

Billy started his celebrated music career in the mid-1960s, eventually releasing his first studio album, “Cold Spring Harbor,” in 1971.

However, his initial attempt didn’t garner much popularity until following the triumph of his subsequent release, “Piano Man” (1973). This song reached as high as number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and climbed up to position four on the Adult Contemporary singles chart.

Joel rose to prominence in the musical world with his album Streetlife Serenade (1974) becoming a million seller, but it was The Stranger (1977), which included hits like Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Just The Way You Are, She’s Always a Woman, The Stranger, and Only The Good Die Young, that solidified his stardom. This record marked his commercial breakout and cemented him as a genuine star in the music industry.

In the subsequent years, he put out an album titled “Fantasies & Delusions” in 2001, which marked a unique departure as it included classical pieces composed by himself, a first within his musical journey up until that point.

Billy Joel, having sold more than 160 million records globally, ranks among the most successful musicians internationally, and he holds the fourth spot for top-selling solo artists in the USA.

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2025-08-17 18:35