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.<\/p>\n
Joel has spoken about his passion for motorcycles from inside his former shop in Oyster Bay, Long Island.<\/p>\n
“Basically promoting an aesthetic here, I like older model automotive styles from the ’30s-’60s,” Joel said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“It was given to him backstage, Axl Rose was backstage and it comes with this matching helmet,” Dykman said.<\/p>\n
The collection also includes a 1982 Ducati that is a replica of the motorcycle ridden by racer Mike Hailwood.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Along with the motorcycles, two Jaguars and a pickup truck are also included in the auction.<\/p>\n
“What’s amazing about it is we have the original sale invoice for $650 from 1941,” Dykman said of the truck.<\/p>\n
The auction is scheduled for Nov. 20 and 21.<\/p>\n
Joel said, “I’ve loved building this collection, now it’s someone else’s turn to hit the road.”<\/p>\n
———-<\/p>\n
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a> <\/p>\n * More New York City news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts<\/a> <\/p>\n * Download our connected TV app<\/a> <\/p>\n
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News<\/p>\n