Not exactly a retail establishment, even though it has a glass storefront in Oyster Bay, 20th Century Cycles is the garage/collection of Billy Joel. Billy isn't a concours junkie or a hunter of exotica; he prefers motorcycles he feels comfortable riding, 'everyman bikes', although of course, every man would envy the assembled machinery...
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| Indian Chief custom from a couple of 'Pauls'... |
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| Rule Brittania; BSA A50 Royal Star |
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| Interesting custom with some history; Kawasaki built BSAs under license in the 1960s... |
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| The Kawabeeza makes an odd sense; note CR carbs. The Kwack W650 is popular with customizers; the engine is nicely done. |
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| Thoroughbreds; Ducati '73 750 Sport and '76 900SS |
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| Billy has many Royal Enfields; this one in Navy/trials spec |
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| Immaculate, low-mileage Suzuki Katana, rapidly appreciating as a groundbreaking design. |
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| 'No' as in, 'I will not sing at your wedding/bar mitzvah/reunion/retirement/birthday...' |
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| RE with bolt-on café kit...looks nice! |
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| Lots of Guzzis, lots of BMWs... |
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| Ducati 'round case' 750 Sport, ca. '73...such grace. |
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| The one bike Mr.Joel doesn't ride; his 1977 Harley XLCR café racer...because it is 'fucking horrible'. He keeps it as a memento of a horrific crash in his youth on exactly such a beast... |
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| Moto Guzzi V35; the 350cc is rare in the US. |
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| The Vincent Rapide Series C was a gift from Billy's sound man. |
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| Alex in the shop truck. |
Many thanks to my pal Alex Puls, who manages the collection, for the invite.
