Recreating the
Motorcycle Asthetic
ABOUT
20th Century Cycles is the culmination of Billy Joel’s love of motorcycles and his passion for motorcycle design. Since, in his opinion, he believes that vintage motorcycles look better and, since he also is aware that modern motorcycles tend to work better, all of the bikes in the collection have been transformed in one way or another into rideable, practical machines with a nod toward the past.
The shop, as it stands today, was born out of necessity: the need for space. As the collection grew it became apparent that in order to properly build, store and service the 75+ bikes in the collection a larger, more accommodating facility was needed. The perfect shop was found where we could do all of the things mentioned plus share the collection with the public.
20th Century Cycles does not sell or maintain bikes outside of the collection. Nor do we sell parts or accessories. We are here to simply maintain and augment the collection and share it with the motorcycling community.
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SOCIAL
Maiden voyage for the R100 Mystic turned RT on an amazingly flawless spring day.
#billyjoel #20thcenturycycles #keepoysterbayweird #bmwairhead #bmwr100mystic #bmwr100rt #viameccanica #amazongreen
Oooooohhhh, 1000ccs of awesomeness for /5 and 1974 /6 BMW Airheads from @siebenrockbmw.
Music by @robertearlkeen1.
#20thcenturycycles #keepoysterbayweird #bmwr90 #bmwairhead #grimeca #grimecafourleadingshoebrake #billyjoel
Amazon Green Metallic.
#20thcenturycycles #keepoysterbayweird #billyjoel #bmwr100mystic #bmwr100rt #bmwairhead
Speedometer cable delete doohickey on the spare parts airhead, take 2.
I found an old 4 speed /5 gearbox that I think was acquired from @almondjoysgotnutz a long, long time ago (2014?) in a land far, far away (Atlanta).
Anyhoo, if the stock little hollow M6 ground strap bolt works swell as a breather, 6 radially drilled 3/32" holes should do just fine. If water intrusion becomes a problem, a few of them might get a wipe of epoxy.
Soundtrack by The Buzzcocks.
#20thcenturycycles #keepoysterbayweird #bmwr90 #bmwairhead #grimeca #grimecafourleadingshoebrake #monarch10ee #billyjoel
Since there's going to be a GPS module driving an electronic speedometer, there's no need for the stock speedo cable, BUT! a 2 valve BMW needs to breathe or else oil will ooze out of very inconvenient places. So, a hunk of 1" 6071, a 1940s Monarch 10ee lathe, and 15 minutes of time and Voila! A solution.
Enjoy the Modern Lovers "Roadrunner" in the background.
#20thcenturycycles #billyjoel #keepoysterbayweird #bmwr90 #bmwairhead #monarch10ee
I've been hanging onto this spin-on oil filter kit from Motoren Israel for ages. Who has run one? Did it maintain oil pressure? Let's hear it!
#motorenisrael #20thcenturycycles #keepoysterbayweird #billyjoel #bmwr90 #grimeca #grimecafourleadingshoebrake #evanwilcoxhandformedmetal
The spare parts bike finally rolls. I just wanted to see how it sits on its wheels. So far, so good.
#bmwr906 #bmwairhead #grimeca #grimecafourleadingshoebrake #20thcenturycycles #keepoysterbayweird #billyjoel
Soooo, we'll be hunting wascally (chocolate) wabbits tomorrow and the shop will be closed BUT (swipe>>>>) our pal @elgatoengineering will be hosting a groovy Cars and Coffee event right around the corner from the shop.
@via.meccanica making a really ratty BMW R100 Mystic seat look better than new. And check out that R100RT inspired stitch pattern.
#20thcenturycycles #keepoysterbayweird #billyjoel #viameccanica #bmwr100mystic #bmwairhead #bmwr100rt
I've never been super thrilled with my Airboss planishing hammer so I made a set of thumbnail dies for shrinking sheet metal. It still needs tweaking and a nice polished surface, but I think I'm on the right path.
#20thcenturycycles #billyjoel #keepoysterbayweird #monarch10ee #bridgeportmill
And while I'm whipping up little trim pieces using the shop pins, it seemed only fitting that a nice shift knob was in order for the 1962 Jaguar MkII that @elgatoengineering and I put about a bazillion hours into.
#billyjoel #20thcenturycycles #elgatoengineering #keepoysterbayweird #1962jaguarmkii #monarch10ee
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