The Billy Joel motorcycle auction is shaping up to be one of the biggest celebrity-collection sales of the year. More than 70 motorcycles from the Piano Man’s personal stash will cross the block at Gooding Christie’s inaugural Rétromobile New York sale on November 20 and 21. The venue is the Javits Center in New York City, and Gooding Christie’s is offering every single lot without reserve.
That means there is no safety net. Each bike sells to the highest bidder, no matter the number. For collectors, that is about as exciting as it gets.
“I’ve always been drawn to bikes built by people who cared about getting every detail right,” Joel said in the Gooding Christie’s announcement. “I’ve loved building this collection. Now it’s someone else’s turn to hit the road.”
What’s on the block at the Billy Joel motorcycle auction
Joel’s taste runs wide. The sale spans decades, countries, and styles, with machines from Ducati, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Triumph, Honda, and Kawasaki. So far, three standout lots have published presale estimates:
| Highlight lot | Presale estimate |
|---|---|
| 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville (Madison Square Garden 150th-show custom) | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| 1975 Ducati 750 Sport | $25,000 – $35,000 |
The full catalog, with the remaining estimates, is expected in late October. Still, it is already clear that this is no mere celebrity yard sale. These are serious machines, and the market knows it.
The Triumph that Madison Square Garden built for Billy Joel
The most story-rich lot is the 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville. Madison Square Garden presented it to Joel to commemorate his 150th sold-out show at the venue. Its custom paint marks the occasion, and it comes with a matching helmet listing every show and year of his record-setting residency.
In other words, the bike is part trophy, part time capsule. For the next owner, it will spark conversations at every gas station for the rest of its life.
When and how to bid in the Billy Joel motorcycle auction
Because every lot goes without reserve, bidders do not have to guess at hidden minimums. Instead, the bikes simply sell to whoever bids highest. However, as Cycle Source notes, the surprises could cut both ways, and sleepy lots might go for a song.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Christie’s Rockefeller Center preview | October 8 – 12, 2026 |
| Javits Center public preview | November 19 – 21, 2026 |
| Rétromobile New York Auctions | November 20 – 21, 2026 |
A preview of select bikes ran at Christie’s Rockefeller Center from October 8 through October 12. If you missed it, the Javits Center preview opens November 19. That gives buyers a final close look before the hammer falls.
20th Century Cycles: the Oyster Bay garage behind the collection
Joel did not just buy these bikes. He rode them, restored them, and gave them a home. In 2010, he opened 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay on Long Island. The space worked as part showroom, part clubhouse, and part art gallery. On weekends, he opened the doors to the public, free of charge.
His first bike, a Yamaha 500 Special, dates back to 1977. From there, the collection grew past 150 vintage and custom machines across nearly five decades. As Galerie reported, the Oyster Bay shop served as the collection’s headquarters until Joel closed it in 2025.
The closure followed a difficult year. In 2025, Joel publicly disclosed a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition that affected his balance and memory. He later said a shunt procedure improved his symptoms. His doctors, meanwhile, advised him to step back from loud, high-volume performances.
Where the money goes: the Joel Foundation
Joel has said he intends to direct proceeds from the sale to the Joel Foundation, which supports music education and the arts. That gives the sale a purpose beyond clearing garage space. In addition, it fits a long pattern, since Joel has funded scholarships and arts programs on Long Island for years.
It also explains why a no-reserve sale makes sense here. The goal is not to squeeze every dollar from each lot. Instead, the aim is to put these bikes into the hands of people who will ride and care for them, while turning a private passion into public good.
What’s next for Billy Joel
His public comments have focused on recovery, and his ongoing SiriusXM work shows he remains engaged with music and his audience. Still, he has made no promises about a return to touring, riding, or the stage.
Meanwhile, his songs keep surfacing in new places. Brandi Carlile’s recent deluxe reissue includes a digital-exclusive cover of his “And So It Goes.” And this fall’s stacked music calendar — see our iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina 2026 lineup guide for Latin music’s biggest night — shows how busy the industry stays. But for one weekend in November, the motorcycle world’s eyes will be on the Javits Center.
