Billy Joel didn’t start out as a collector of motorcycles. It just turned out that way.

Like his passion for boats, cars and, of course, music, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s love of motorcycles has grown along with his firsthand knowledge and personal experience.

For his first exhibit, “Billy Joel’s Motorcycle as Art and Icon,” he hand-picked 20 bikes from his collection, including many that he designed himself, to display as art and as possibilities for other collectors.

Are you excited about your motorcycle exhibit?

I don’t know what to expect. I’ve never done anything like this. The motorcycles that I’ve designed are essentially new bikes that I’ve made look like old bikes. They’re kind of retro-styled… I’ve become used to all the conveniences of modern technology, but I still like how the old things look. I do the same thing with the boats… I probably do the same thing with music.

It sounds like a pretty good formula. What attracted you to bikes in the first place?

I used to ride back in the ’60s. I started out on British bikes. I had a BSA - that was my first bike… They vibrated like crazy, but they were a lot of fun… 

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Motorcycle as Art and Icon, Free, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through July 19, until 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Christy Building, 3 Madison Street, Sag Harbor, 631-725-7000, 20thcc.com