Author Topic: Billy Joels bikes at the International Motorcycle Show in New York (Read 11745 times)

Kevin Mahoney · **on:** December 25, 2008, 06:25:18 pm

As you may or may not know, Billy Joel is a Royal Enfield maniac. As far as we know he owns more of the Indian made bikes than anyone else in the US except us. He purchased his first one in 1999 or 2000. That one was sold later, He then bought one or two from a dealer we have in upstate NY. One at least is a Cafe bike. He then became acquainted with Mike Dipalo the owner of UK Motorsports http://www.ukmotorsports.com/
on Long Island. He has purchased several of them from Mike. Mike just finished two bikes that were done up at US Navy bikes (or one Navy and one Air Force) and they are going to be installed on his Yacht in Florida to be used as ground transportation when he is in port. Mike has become good friends with Billy and in fact has taken a part time job taking care of his extensive fleet of Vintage motorcycles. At any rate Billy has agreed to put one or two of his bikes in the New York International Motorcycle Show at the Javits Center on January 16-18 2009

Blltrdr · **Reply #1 on:** December 25, 2008, 08:26:15 pm

Kevin, did you catch the Orange County Chopper episode where they built a bike for Billy. It was an old school Indian custom. So when they delivered the bike to his house they got the tour of his motorcycle shop. Great episode! Here are a few snipets. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehU7FEFyp-k&feature=related
Blltrdr

Blue Ridge Wheeltor · **Reply #2 on:** December 25, 2008, 09:23:38 pm

Hope he rides better than he drives.

Leonard · **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2008, 05:00:20 am

Sorry, I don't get it. Does he have a driving problem? Not a fan so wouldn't know.

Quote from: Blue Ridge Wheeltor on December 25, 2008, 09:23:38 pm

Hope he rides better than he drives.

Blltrdr · **Reply #4 on:** December 26, 2008, 05:23:35 am

Quote from: Leonard on December 26, 2008, 05:00:20 am

Sorry, I don't get it. Does he have a driving problem? Not a fan so wouldn't know.

I think it's more of a drinking problem! I think he did get some help though; thank god for the rest of us!

The Garbone · **Reply #5 on:** December 26, 2008, 01:10:20 pm

Who knows, maybe Billy likes to spend his time lurking in online forums....

Blue Ridge Wheeltor · **Reply #6 on:** December 26, 2008, 02:37:59 pm

Quote from: Leonard on December 26, 2008, 05:00:20 am

Sorry, I don't get it. Does he have a driving problem? Not a fan so wouldn't know.

Quote from: Blue Ridge Wheeltor on December 25, 2008, 09:23:38 pm
Hope he rides better than he drives.

I was at the race in Laconia some years back, and spoke with a guy who had a "signed" XLCR that belonged to Billy Joel. It was the one he crashed and broke both hands. Read on another forum who had another bike he owned, crashed, and signed. May have been a Guzzi. I believe his ex wife obtained or tried to obtain a restraining order against his driving with their kids in his car. On numerous occasions he has bounced off parked cars and/or ended up on someones lawn. I beleive he hit a house once, but don't quite remember.
I was reading on another forum where a guy's car was hit while parked at the curb, hit and run, and the sarcastic answer was "do you live near Billy Joel"?

skippy · **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2008, 01:49:36 am

On a visit to New York last March and being a bit of a Guzzi nut I went to the Hard Rock Cafe just to have a look at the Eldorado he had donated and now I find out he rides Enfields as well. Must admit I'd rather see his bikes than hear him sing.

Cabo Cruz · **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2008, 02:11:47 am

That's a big DITTO, Skippy!

Kevin Mahoney · **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2008, 05:36:20 pm

I have not seen it, but he apparently has quite a nice collection of bikes. He may have as many as 6 Bullets. I do know the Bullet is his daily ride and I am told he rides a lot. Our dealer that works for him part-time maintaining his fleets says that he a really nice down to earth guy and a real enthusiast.

little_a_o · **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:44:59 am

I'm his personal spy. I have all your numbers. Hickupp! In fact I wrote "Born to Run" with him. Hickupp

Cabo Cruz · **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:59:22 am

Little_a_o, take two aspirins and call me in the morning!

REpozer · **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:08:50 am

Where you been, Little A O ?

jdrouin · **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2009, 05:06:33 pm

Mike DePalo is my dealer too and he's always talking about Billy. Last time I was there to have my head bolts retorqued the two grey bullets were just being finished. He did a really amazing job on them.

Anyway, at the NYC show he had Billy Joel's cafe racer, not the USAF/USN bikes, but he did have a very large photo of them.

Jeff

little_a_o · **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2009, 05:27:54 am

Quote from: REpozer on February 04, 2009, 02:08:50 am

Where you been, Little A O ?

Hey thanks for remembering me. I hope with indifference at the minimum. Well, I have been all over and I'm kind of lost without my RE. I am in central AZ right now and its great riding weather out here especially when compared with the NJ/NY area.

SInce I have your attention, what year did the imported Indian Bullets change from 4 to 5 spd? I am think '99 ? There was a used one on craigs that I may look over if its still available.

AO

REpozer · **Reply #15 on:** February 08, 2009, 06:54:11 am

A O,
I do know that the 5 speed was introduced with the Bullet -65. Not sure of the year, sorry.
And welcome back.

Cabo Cruz · **Reply #16 on:** February 08, 2009, 04:29:38 pm

Leonard · **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2009, 04:45:02 am

Quote from: little_a_o on February 08, 2009, 05:27:54 am

Quote from: REpozer on February 04, 2009, 02:08:50 am
Where you been, Little A O ?
SInce I have your attention, what year did the imported Indian Bullets change from 4 to 5 spd? I am think '99 ? There was a used one on craigs that I may look over if its still available.

2004 was the first year with the 5 speed.

little_a_o · **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2009, 05:56:06 am

Thanks Leonard.

Billy Joel has, or had a nice piece of waterfront property where I use to kayak. Geez, I might shed a tear, No more Kayak, no more Military. I will have to change these vacancies soon.

AO

YJake · **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:06:24 pm

Quote from: little_a_o on February 12, 2009, 05:56:06 am

Thanks Leonard.

Billy Joel has, or had a nice piece of waterfront property where I use to kayak. Geez, I might shed a tear, No more Kayak, no more Military. I will have to change these vacancies soon.

AO

At least you have loved and lost.

I still haven't bought my bullet yet

Oh, and Billy Joel isen't as bad of a think as you drunk he is.