Billy Joel’s Vintage Motorcycle Collection Heads to Auction
The Piano Man is ready to share the motorcycle wealth.
A collection of over 70 vintage bikes owned by Billy Joel will be auctioned off by Gooding Christie’s in November at its inaugural Retromobile New York sale. The two-wheelers are being offered without reserve and proceeds from the sale will go to a cause near and dear to the musician’s heart.
Joel isn’t just one of Long Island’s most beloved cultural icons; he’s also one of the most successful recording artists of all time. Achievements tend to come with their fair riches, some of which the six-time Grammy winner put into one of the most lust-worthy motorcycle collections you’ll ever find, including bikes made by Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Triumph, Yamaha, and more.
1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville
Mike Maez/Gooding Christie’s
With dozens of bikes to choose from, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but we imagine the musician’s 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville will garner plenty of interest. The sparkling blue motorcycle was gifted to Joel by Madison Square Garden on the occasion of his 150th sold-out show at the world-famous arena. The musician’s example of the iconic Bonnie, which comes with a matching helmet, features a custom paint job that adds piano keys to the fuel tank along with special “Billy Joel 150” badging on the air box. It is expected to command between $10,000 and $15,000.
Joel’s collection is also home to several Ducatis, something sure to please the snootier connoisseurs out there. Of note is a restored yellow and black 1975 750 Sport. The bike is widely considered one of the most beautiful motorcycles of all time, which explains why the auction house expects it to command a gavel price between $25,000 and $35,000. A 1982 900 Mike Hailwood replica, which looks identical to the red and green superbike that Hailwood rode to victory at the 1978 Isle of Man, is also in the mix. It has a presale estimate of $15,000 to $25,000.
1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica
Mike Maez/Gooding Christie’s
“I’ve always been drawn to bikes built by people who cared about getting every detail right,” Joel said in a statement. “I’ve loved building this collection. Now it’s someone else’s turn to hit the road.”
Joel’s motorcycles will hit the block as part of the Retromobile New York classic car show, which will be held at Manhattan’s Javits Center from Nov. 19 to 22. Proceeds from the sale will go to the Joel Foundation, a non-profit that provides grants and support to organizations bringing the power of music to students and communities.
Click here to see more photos of Billy Joel’s vintage motorcycle collection.
