Hello,

This is my first post. I have been interested in Lever machines for a long time and I recently bought two online. An old Pavoni Europiccola and a Cappuccino Amore. I bought them both on ebay.

The Pavoni was missing the portafilter and I have sculpted my own and it will be cast in bronze shortly. I also changed the gaskets and seals. Look forward to using it.

The Cappuccino Amore was a mess. I cleaned and polished it and when I opened the bottom I saw there was water damage to the mechanism that controls the temperature in the boiler. Is there any way this can be replaced? The way it works is that there is one setting to make the espresso and another to steam milk. This mechanism is attached by means of a bare steel wire attached to a thermocouple (i think that is what it is called) inside the boiler. Also the main piston is in rough shape and the gaskets are in need of replacement. I would like to fix this machine so it can be used.

Any help, advice, suggestions would be appreciated.

For now I will continue to use my Saeco Magic which has served me well.

Pics? Not familiar with that machine and not getting much on my searches. On the pavoni you can buy about any part you need....need to see what your other one is similar to.

There is another on ebay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI....em&item=4446034984

Looks somewhat like a Riviera? Good luck with it - I'll look forward to seeing some photos of crema!

PC

I began the restoration of my machine. Dismantled it, polished all the brass parts and it looks great. However there are a few problems with the unit. Bought this item on ebay and never received something with this many problems, I guess I paid for a home project.



1. The piston assembly is a mess!



I am not sure whether I should try and repair this one or get a machinist to lathe a new one in brass or bronze.

2. When I opened the base I found that the thermostat switch was rusted and will not function anymore.

I am going to try and find some kind of temperature switch that will stay on until the boiler reaches a certain temperature/pressure and then cut power, and another switch that will override this and heat to a higher temperature/pressure for steam. I am not sure at what temperature the power to the boiler should be shut down for brewing, and at what temperature it should be shut down for steam. Also I would like to create a safety temperature relay in case the power is left on. Seems there was none on this machine and I imagine that this could be a fire hazard. I guess this was fine back in the day.

Any suggestions will help as I am a sculptor and not an electrician. lol. Actually I also have a degree in building engineering/civil but have worked as a sculptor for the past 15 years.

3. I am going to need new piston gaskets.



Anyone know where I can buy these gaskets? Does some company sell them when you specify the size, shape, material, etc.

The group design looks like my Ponte Vecchio, with the exception that mine has a flat plate where it bolts to the boiler, whereas yours is curved. I have heard that the Riviera uses the same group as the PV, which be also be the same as yours. If this is the case, contact Gene at Vanelis.com - he ought to be able to get Ponte Vecchio parts, and might also know if they are interchangeable. I suspect the theromstat switch at the least ought to be acceptable. Good luck, and I'll look forward to more photos,

PC

Thanks peacecup, I sent him a message.

Hello to all lever enthusiasts.

I finally finished the bronze portafilter I was working on. The handle is made of Bubinga (african rosewood). It worked out great, only problem was the basket falling out when I emptied the grounds but thanks to a thread I found here I wrapped some teflon tape around the basket and it stays in place now. So all is well in espressoland at my house.



I am still working on the cappuccino amore machine and will post images of the progress when there is something interesting to see.


I also just bought a grinder, The Zassenhaus grinder that goes in between the knees. Still trying to figure out the right grind. I made the mistake of grinding too fine and could not push the lever down on my Pavoni and then ground to coarse and ended up with a thin boring shot. It will take some time before I get it right. But I am enjoying the learning curve.

Cool project, Mitchell. And thanks for the link to your art. Very cool!

Ken

...merged with thread on closely related topic by moderator...


I just picked up a Cappuccino Amore ITALIANSTYLE Model CE 14. (photo of similar machine)
I would like to get operation instructions. Be glad to pay for a copy of the manual.
Perhaps someone out there has experience running one of these machines, and could share a few tips with me.

I assume the brass knob is there to change temperature settings from brew to steaming.
How full do you tamp the basket? Did they make a single basket?
How long do you hold the lever down, and do you assist or slow its return to the top?
Has anyone found parts. My steam wand has a crack.

I'll appreciate any help.

CoffeeGeek has some information:

http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/machines/6638

Latte Jed wrote:I just picked up a Cappuccino Amore ITALIANSTYLE Model CE 14. (photo of similar machine)
I would like to get operation instructions. Be glad to pay for a copy of the manual.

I have a factory manual here: I'll scan it in the next few days and then can email it to you and anyone else interested.
The model I have is the model displayed earlier in this thread.

Gary