NEW YORK (WABC) — More than 70 motorcycles from Billy Joel’s personal collection are headed to auction, offering fans and motorcycle enthusiasts a chance to own one of the musician’s bikes.
Joel has spoken about his passion for motorcycles from inside his former shop in Oyster Bay, Long Island.
“Basically promoting an aesthetic here, I like older model automotive styles from the ’30s-’60s,” Joel said.
Christie’s is preparing to auction more than 70 of Joel’s motorcycles, with bikes in the collection dating from the early 1950s to about 2022.
“The bikes were meant to ride, he was a rider, an enthusiast, he didn’t think of himself as a collector, he just bought bikes because he wanted to ride them and then modify them so they would ride better,” said Angus Dykman, a car and motorcycle specialist with Christie’s.
Among the motorcycles is a 1978 Triumph Bonneville that was a gift from Madison Square Garden to Joel to mark his 150th sold-out show at the venue. The motorcycle comes with a matching helmet featuring every show and year Joel played at the Garden.
“It was given to him backstage, Axl Rose was backstage and it comes with this matching helmet,” Dykman said.
The collection also includes a 1982 Ducati that is a replica of the motorcycle ridden by racer Mike Hailwood.
“There was a rider who was very famous named Mike Hailwood and he had retired from racing about 13 years and had this miracle comeback victory in the 1970s,” Dykman said.
Some lots are expected to sell for more than $100,000, while estimates for others are lower. One motorcycle is estimated at between $10,000 and $15,000.
“It kind of speaks to Billy Joel’s whole ethos, not being this pretentious guy, his whole thing is being this working man, regular guy,” Dykman said.
Along with the motorcycles, two Jaguars and a pickup truck are also included in the auction.
“What’s amazing about it is we have the original sale invoice for $650 from 1941,” Dykman said of the truck.
The auction is scheduled for Nov. 20 and 21.
Joel said, “I’ve loved building this collection, now it’s someone else’s turn to hit the road.”
———-
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.