LMWDPW #001. Yess!! We will take over the world one day but not today but someday ! (said in Mojo Jojo voice) Muah ha ha!!

I have a La Pavoni, the story of how I came by it is long and full of coffee.

Basically I like coffee. I really like it. I once went to Rome for an $100 espresso ... errr ... Let me start at the beginning.

So about 20 years ago I was a drinker of instant. Not the cheap stuff, the good stuff, you know freeze dried Moccona I was a struggling student in Australia, dating an Italian girl and she had one of those hexagonal aluminum Moka pots which utterly fascinated me ... until I tasted what came out of it. I bought one that weekend and I have been forever lost since to the joys of espresso.

About 15 years ago I graduated to a Krups Thermoblock automated machine, and I would feed it gold label Segafredo bar coffe in 10kg bags (Still the best non fresh coffee I have found). I once had to go to a conference in Orlando about this time and couldn't get a return ticket so I bought an around the world ticket Sydney-Orlando-Rome-Sydney for an extra $100 and got off the plane in Rome literally to get an espresso. and it was good.

So 7 Years ago I moved from Sydney to Florida, but I had to leave my Krups with my brother. So I bought a temporary machine (Starbuks Barrista) and went on a 12 month search for a permanent machine.

Then I move to New York, about the same time my Grand mother passed away, and she left me a little money with a request to spend it on myself and buy something frivolous that I would not otherwise spend that kind of money on. Well I decided to buy a coffee machine with price being no object. I went to Little Italy and I could find only Moka pots, a $200 automated machine and a $680 La Pavoni Professional 16 cup .... Chrome peacock it is. Every day since I have had 4-5 shots a day from it and every time I cherish the wisdom of my ancestors who knew a thing or two about priorities.

After 9/11 I moved to Las Vegas, and my La Pavoni has slowly been getting older and weaker ... this last year I noticed if I leave it with a boiler of water over night by morning it magically levitates outside the boiler and on the counter. But you know if I send it away for repairs that is 2 weeks without espresso (ex. starbucks which doesn't count). Finally I decide to repair it, with help from ExpressParts.com and European Gifts and Housewares ... and 4 days without coffee I finally got it working again last night ... ahhhhhhhhhhhh coffee

OK I'm ready for the lever machine world domination plot, anyone mind if I take #40?

Teme wrote:This may not come as a surprise to many, especially those who followed the thinking of a lever machine... thread, but ...

<snip>

I guess I may now claim my LMWDP number? It'll be #39 then I assume, unless someone wishes to allocate one of the lower ones that also seem to be looking for their owners

Br,
Teme

Didn't we both decide to wait and save for the GS3?

Here's the first image of my new "family":


(click to enlarge)

If none of the lower numbers is to be reallocated I'll claim #41 then...


Edit: Link to image replaced

My new to me Europiccola arrived today from cpl593h! Not only my first lever machine but my first real espresso machine ever. She sustained a little damage in transit and after much handwringing I resorted to brute strength and ignorance and bent her back into shape, plugged it in and it seems to work fine. Now if I can just figure out how to work it. Believe it or not, my first two shots weren't too bad. At least compared to the espresso I've had from local shops. It was all downhill from there, though. I discovered the overheating grouphead thing, the portafilter sneeze (I think) and learned that I have no idea what proper grind and tamp are. I am undaunted however. I'm looking forward to learning more about this fascinating aspect of coffee after many years of journeying through grinders, beans, drip, press, moka pot, homeroasting, etc.
If it's acceptable for a complete newbie to claim a LMWDP number I would like to claim #45. I'll take the previous number if it's bad form to skip but 45 is a favorite of mine.

Welcome aboard. The only way you progress is though learning from your mistakes. You are learning your machine and understanding how it works. Keep playing and you will steadily improve.

Hi

About a dozen years ago, I went to a local temple bazaar. From across the room, I spotted this mint 1981 Olympia Cremina.



I went directly to it, and before I even got close, I knew I had to have it. While I knew knothing of the machine, all I had to do was look at its build quality to know what a superb machine it was. At that time, Zabars still had parts for it and I contacted them for a gasket set and any missing accessories. I replaced the appropriate gaskets and the machine has worked flawlessly ever since. I had been led to understand that Olympia was out of business due to a fire. It was only about three years ago that I saw a brand new Olympia Cremina 2002 in a shop in Zurich and was delighted to learn that factory support was available. It was through a great chat with Markus at Olympia that I discovered Home-Barista. It is wonderful to have this source of information and passion.



I also have a 1977 Olympia that is in need of overhauld. Although it is missing all the loose parts, the machine appears to be in excellent condition just needing some TLC.

I would like to request number 47 if it is available.

Bob Craige

Bob welcome aboard. Boy, the Olympia ranks are swelling. Please tell me you paid more than $3 for yours. I can see mine devaluing already. Look forward to your comments.

Hi Steve

Don't worry, I paid more than three dollars for mine. As I recall, it was forty dollars! What was amusing to me was that behind it at the sale, was a new or at least in the box, piece of junk Taiwanese espresso machine that was twice the price. I chuckled to myself about the pricing, but paid as quickly as possible lest someone beat me to my prize.

I was always convinced that the machine was very special, but it was gratifying to come to find there are others of like mind out there.

What year is your machine? My other machine is a 1977 and has a different flat label on the rear and the serial number tag is different as well. I will take some photos of it when I get a chance and post them if you would like to see it. I need to slowly refurbish it, it appears that it will clean up to a really superb machine without too much trouble.

Bob

Olympia Cremina 67

LMWDP #047

I found my Cremina in a thrift shop about ten years ago. At the time I was pretty new to the concept of fresh roasted coffee. But, after reading Ken David's book on homeroasting, I was hooked. I've been wanting to do an overhaul, (or at least clean the boiler and replace all of the seals) so I am truly grateful to the forum members and especially to Steve Robinson for the information provided on lever machines! Thanks, I'll take keep you updated when I finally decide to do the machine surgery.

Steve.

I think we now have the largest community of Olympia owners on the planet now. Bob, my machine is a 1985 Cremina 67. Now I am starting to covet that red case of your 77. I was telling Dan that if if could find a good one, I would refurbish it Ferrari style. Red case, carbon fibre front and a 6-speed shift knob for the handle. I have located some carbon fibre laminate if you are interested. For what you paid, we can do a full tilt restoration and still have room to spare.

Steve, welcome aboard. Hopefully we have given you enough into to try your maintenance. Let me know if you need any specific help. Please post some pics if you have the chance.