Hi Steve

The two photos that I posted are both of my red 1981 machine. I really like the red color scheme. It looks like new. I have not yet posted any photos of my 1977 machine which is brown. I will try to post some photos of it soon. It is in need of clean up, but appears to be in good shape. It is interesting to me in that it has an older style thin name plate on the lower rear and a different serial number plate as well.

Olympia Cremina 67

LMWDP #047

I haven't posted in a while....been super busy with the cafe opening. My general contractor has finally been working on my project now, so an opening of Feb 1st 2006 is set. I will be welcoming all central Ohioans down for some free shots on the Linea. Anyhow, I was just wanting to say that my Elektra MCL will be proudly displayed, and hooked up, at the coffee shop, so I'll proudly restake my original LMWDP #011 number....I'll share if I need to

If number 48 is still available, I would like to have it. The year of my birth...
I just bought a Brass and Copper Riviera from ebay, complete with the eagle. I wish the eagle was missing and the shower screen was present. Even Chris Cara can't help. Other than that, it seems functional. Once I get the screen, I will be able to enjoy it. PLEASE HELP!

Has anyone compared the Cremina to Riviera/Elektra Micro Casa Leva type?

Edward Bank
Riviera, Mazzer Major
LMWDP #048

Hi Steve,

I have a La Cimbali Eleva which is a plumbed, single-group, lever-operated, commercial espresso machine in bought new in London in 1975 by a friend who had it modified for 110v when he came back to America in the late 70's. He gave it to me in 1995, and I spent the better part of two years rebuilding it and trying to understand how exactly it was supposed to make espresso: La Cimbali didn't start exporting to the US until the early 80's, the newsgroups were 99.99% home equipment users, and I had broken up with that fluent Italian girl only months before...

It gave me years of service until I decide to embark on a series of performance modifications that resulted in a burned-up heating element. Since then it has sat on my clothes dryer, begging for attention, as I've fixed up and modified a manual single-group Faema, and an automatic, two-group Gaggia (re-badged as Bunn). With all the fine-tuning possibilities of the new machines and the inexplicably varied results they can produce, I've yearned to get that simple classic fired back up! What, with it's perfectly measured shot and its simple, perfect pre-infusion and extraction pressure system, and now with the advent of the bottomless portafilter holder and the big brains lurking about this website, especially taking interest in lever-operated machines, of all things...who'd a thunk it?

Count me in!

Hey what is the count now? Is '50' still around?

Anybody know someone who can build a custom heating element?

Hi,

I would like to take #49 if its still open. I'm not sure if I'm qualified, having never actually pulled a shot on a lever machine. After a couple of years of learning on a couple of Saeco pump machines, I finally took the plunge and ordered a lever machine this week (I had to sell a 77' Les Paul Custom to afford it!). After lots of research here, on CoffeeGeek, and on other websites I finally settled on a new Ponte Vecchio Export. Of course I'll probably always have Cremina envy, but after reading about a few of the necessary restorations of used levers (one of which ended up as a lamp as I recall) I decided I just don't have the time or expertise to mess with this. The PV was the most affordable new machine I could find - I got it on sale at Vanelis - and I thought I'd do my learning on it, and save my pennies for a new Cremina or similar high end lever (I came across some very nice machines as my search broadened). The PV's have a 45 mm group, the smallest I've seen, and I'm a bit concerned about this. On the other hand, I read somewhere that the Italians like the small caffeine dose of a single, and I like the idea of brewing twice as many shots a day! It turns out that the PV designs have been around for a long while (previously as Samas), so I concluded that they must be capable of making a decent espresso. I've never seen a used one for sale, so either people really like them, or they don't hold up long (hopefully the former!!!). I also had a couple of very nice emails from the people at the Ponte Vecchio factory, and I liked this personal contact.

So, I hope to join the ranks here, and will post a mini-review of the PV Export as soon as I manage to pull a decent shot.

Happy Holidays to all!

peacecup wrote:The PV's have a 45 mm group, the smallest I've seen, and I'm a bit concerned about this. On the other hand, I read somewhere that the Italians like the small caffeine dose of a single, and I like the idea of brewing twice as many shots a day!

Welcome #49,

One more lever machine to learn about and journey to share. Have fun. Don't set your expectations too high and you will probably be surprised at how quickly you will be able to get great results. Sounds like you have the manufacturer and dealer to help, not to mention the wealth of experience on this forum.

IMO the portafilter diameter emphasis is overrated. I've never felt my 49 mm solid biscuit sized puck was inferior to the flat thin 58 mm cracker of the e61 machines. Quite the opposite . As long as you're resigned to the lesser volume your basket will produce you should be OK. I too like the idea of emulating the Italian way of consuming espresso, several small shots throughout the day rather than the triple basket supersizing that is too prevalent out there these days.

espressoperson wrote:IMO the portafilter diameter emphasis is overrated.

Espressoperson, I agree! My Riviera has a 45mm group, too. I pull 1-1 1/2 oz shots using the double basket and the coffee is normally excellent. I'm looking forward to hearing about peacecups experience with the new machine.

And my Riviera has a 45mm PF. I just need to find the screen for it . Maybe they have it at Vanelis.

Edward Bank
Riviera, Mazzer Major
LMWDP #048

high time i busted in here and got me a number. i own a copper and brass riviera, refurbed off ebay, augmented with gleaming new portafilter and steam knob, among other parts. most delectably, however, it has a hand-lathed tamper made of wild african olive (as opposed to the cultivated varieties) for company. pics of both below.




a loose history of the riviera has been blogged right here:
http://ben.szobody.com/blog/index.php?cat=22

Edward: Let us know if you find a screen. I'm especially curious, given the need to track the availability of parts into the future.

Lever Machine World Domination Plot - I love it. Mind you, it took me nearly two days to discover what LMWDP actually stood for. I guess it would have helped if I had actually read the first post instead of skimming it. Anyway, I want a number and as of today, I am actively part of it.

I started down this path liking "just" coffee, but could not abide espresso. It was too strong at the time. Through out, I have kept my coffee obsession mostly in control and actually have saved money along the way buy not rushing it, taking small well researched steps, and luckily, not being afflicted with upgrade fever. I started roasting my own because every thing local was old and charred and where as I loved coffee, I have always been picky and liked it MY way. Anyway, I went from a Freshroast, to a modified West Bend P1, to a home built inexpensive 1 lb drum roaster. Throughout, I have ground with a DG169 Zass. I am one for simplicity.

As for the brewing techniques, on a "challenge" I accepted a DeLonghi espresso machine as a Tradition gift on the Sweet Maria's list. Through some odd coincidences I also received a low end (no I won't mention the name - to embarrassing) machine, and lost both in a house fire. Due to a house fire and insurance, I replaced the two with a well researched Gaggia Classic.

A few months ago the thermostat went out on the Gaggia, and with distinct lack of time to fix it, I was loaned a Sama lever by Les of Thor Tampers. That was my intro to levers. Actually, my interest in levers started a few months earlier during some mental research into pressure regulation, and wondering how difficult it would be to modify a lever for very even pressure via a linear actuator or servo motor. I never got much along that line, expect I started liking the simplicity and quite of a lever.

On a whim, I was looking on eBay and came across a Gaggia lever. I have this thing for Gaggia for some reason. The Gaggia mini looks sweet too. Well, it went beyond my price range, but got me looking around. While looking around here, I came across the Gaggia Achille. I want this machine. Wow. But either it will have to come down in price and go 120v or I will have to get lucky. In the mean time, I have a Gaggia Factory on the way that I got a good deal on. I will have decide whether I take it crotchless - I probably will, but I am not sure. I noted someone else's disappointment taking a Pavoni crotchless.

Anyway, that is it. I have a place all ready for my Factory and am eyeing the Achille. I will need to get a tamper for it from Thor Tampers, but that will wait until it is here. So, I see the next available number is LMWDP #051, but I also note #013 is unclaimed. Could I have that one if I ask nicely?

h00ktern wrote:LMWDP #001 srobinson

LMWDP #049 peacecup
LMWDP #050 Skipito
LMWDP #051 FREE
LMWDP #052 FREE Vienna would like to be here - my BirthYear
LMWDP #053 FREE

I will confer with HB regarding possible re-assignments of the unknown "?" - perhaps giving priority to those with earlier posts.

Fair enough?

As somewhere in the thread it was stated that the number is a Self-Service pool I politely would claim 52, my birthyear.
If anyone has anything against it she/he may speak up now or be quiet for all future. (Isn't that the formula?)

Regards from Vienna

Alchemist wrote:So, I see the next available number is LMWDP #051, but I also note #013 is unclaimed. Could I have that one if I ask nicely?

Vienna wrote:As somewhere in the thread it was stated that the number is a Self-Service pool I politely would claim 52, my birthyear.

I've added you to the official list as you requested.

I won't post a picture of my Europiccola because you've all seen them by now. They're absolutely gorgeous and my Lux grinder is a nice compliment on my kitchen counter. I got into the lever machines because I was tired of choking pump machines. I found myself really craving control over that important part of the process. I doubt I'll ever go back to a pump. It's too much fun to feel the shot being pulled...

I assume my number can be LMWDP #051?

To join this LMWDP, here's the short story of my passion for lever operated espresso machines and other mechanical gear...

At the age of three, I started to work on mechanical things, toys, old clocks etc., first in a deconstructive, later in a reconstructive way. At the age of 18, I discovered my passion for older cars and motorcycles, I repaired/ rebuilded old Peugeot cabriolets and BMW motorcycles.

Around 1990 I spent much time with a good friend, who played piano at bars, clubs and restaurants, I was responsible for his equipment, the amplifiers, the sound...One day, he played at a pizzeria, where my attention was drawn by an old, single group, lever operated Gaggia espresso machine from the mid seventies, still in use. I asked the owner and he told me, that the machine was to replace the next days through a newer one with higher performance. After a few moments, he offered me this old piece of junk for free!!! and thats were it all started...

I turned from a coffee drinker to an espresso lover, combining this with the ongoing passion for old mechanical/ technical gear. Two years later, I found an old Conti lever machine at a flea market for a very low price, at this time, nobody was interested in such heavy, complicated and ugly pieces. 10 years ago, I purchased a Faema Urania im my area, but I reselled this one for a Faema President a late model in the E 61 housing, in my opinion one of the most attractive, beautiful designed espresso machines of the sixties. So today, I operate this single group Faema President together with a Quickmill grinder from the mid- sixties, I found this grinder weeks ago, waiting for me, forgotten for about 20 years, sitting in the storage room of an old La Cimbali dealer. The Quickmill grinder replaced a Francesconi T 80 grinder, a powerful tool, but not very matching the President...

With the ongoing espresso passion, I sold my last Peugeot cabriolet and bought an old Alfa Romeo Spider, a car like an espresso, short, quick, extracted under pressure...

Together with the espresso passion, I collect and restore old jukeboxes since about 15 years, on of my favorites is my AMI Continental 2, a space age designed box, who matches the Faema President perfectly...To close the circle (does this image exist in your language?) I sold my BMW R 100 S motorcycle and rebuild an old Harley Davidson, not the italian way to drive, but close to my passion for american jukeboxes...

The best of all is, that my girlfriend shares the espresso passion...She drinks only espressos and can't believe, that I prepare cappuccinos from time to time. When the President is switched on and heated, we have a little competition everytime, she believes, that she extracts the better shots...

So, I hope I'm qualified for your club...

Regards

Michael

Michael, you are in and in good company. I think you will find quite a few gearheads here with the leversheads on this board. I need to start a car thread so guys can show off some of the rides that are out there.

Welcome aboard.

Hi Steve,

I'm glad that here are some other gearheads around, I hope my english is sufficient, yes, please open a thread concerning cars...Can You explain me how I can post a picture of the Faema President and the Quickmill grinder?

Thanks and best regards

Michael

Most of us simply use free image hosting from Photobucket.com. Put your pics there and then copy the image tags in your post (instructions). Post a pic of that Toaster Tank while you are at it.

I'm out to get some respect for the Presso . . .

Alright, it was made in China, not in the Alps. It came from a British design firm, not a company steeped in the fine tradition of Italian espresso making.

But it's a Gen-u-wine Bona-fide Lever(s) Machine!



Out of the box, with no modifications, the Presso can produce such an "Internet-Quality" espresso. No robusta!

With that I humbly submit my application for the LMWDP.

Henry

ps. I ride a Flying Pigeon, also a British design made in China.

Well, sign me up for a LMWDP number!

My lever journey began slightly over a year ago. Last Christmas my wonderful wife presented me with a brass la Pavonii Europiccola. What a beautiful machine. Like many, I was initially overwhelmed by this beauty (and the machine too!) Several experiments over the months gave me some foundation. I soon burned up the lousey Braun grinder I had and decided to go "Manual" buying a Zassenhaus grinder



This is a wonderful grinder and does a great job. My only criticism is the speed. It can take a while to grind enough for my usual 2 shots. But that's a pretty small compaint.

Now to the coffee. My wife's daughter and her husband have a small coffee roasting company so we have a steady supply of amazingly well roasted coffee. I've been experimenting recently blending my own and have come up with something that brews consistently outstanding espresso.

Greeting to all the other Ohio members. Our numbers are growing and I am very happy to join the ranks.

Ken

For starters, Hello!

I'll gladly take the next available number, if that gig is still going on.. What the heck.

As for me? Well, I've been a coffee drinker forever. Been a Starbucks frequenter for a long time... Have had a Krups espresso maker and Estro Burr grinder in my office/cube for quite a long time.

This holiday season my fiancee gave me a La Pavoni Professional (Yes, she really is a good girl!).

And, as you could guess, I found this place looking for all the help I can get.

So after this short intro, I'm off to search, and hopefully find some tip that'll help me in my pursuit of much better espresso, and the all ellusive Crema.

Again, Hello all!

-b