Ask Lemmy

I adore mechanical stuff that looks too complicated to comprehend on the first look, old sewing machines, old typewriters, mechanical calculators, knitting machines, clocks and watches, marble tracks etc. I was abysmal in school math, today I'm collecting old mechanical and electronic calculators and slide rules (and use them & show 'em to the kids at schools) Scales and maps are another obsession. Maybe because we were too poor for mechanical toys like Meccano or better Lego technic when I was a kid? Btw I loved the sesame street episode with the what-happens-next-machine as a very young kid. Then again, my wife says I have mild ADHD or something in that direction, idk.

Passenger cars. Interestingly, I was always fascinated by them as a child, but as I grew older, my interest faded away. Many adults seem to disregard trains, perceiving them as solely for adults, which I find quite perplexing.

However, my recent trip to observe them was unexpectedly delightful. It's astonishing to see that among the numerous cars, only a small fraction, around 10%, display Amazon or Walmart logos, while the majority are diverse and unique. The engines were a bit disappointing, though.

Anytime I see a new place I take in every detail

I like motorcycles. All motorcycles. Small, large, any brand from Aprilia to Zero. I like the way they sound, whether it's a little two stroke Vespa or a ratty old Shovelhead or a six-cylinder Goldwing. They're just so cool. And there are so many different engine configurations. Singles, parallel twins with 360, 270, or 180 degree cranks, V-Twins in several different angles and different crank splits, three bangers, four cylinders, even some with inline six or flat six engines. Just an entire mechanical symphony.

I like quiet bikes. I like loud bikes. I like electric bikes. Quiet ADV bikes, thundering cruisers, thumpy dual sports, screamy sport bikes, they're all so cool.