Part of the fun with levers is working on them, for sure. A newly serviced group is a joy to use.

I was referring to this type of problem, but I don't know if it is relevant:

Preventing Lever Slot Wear with a Roller Pad

Jack, it is relevant and thank you for the reminder. When I got this machine, and since it was a new-in-box, I wanted to keep it in top condition. I read on some of the most common issues and solutions and I am implementing those that do not require extreme modifications (meaning, mods need to be reversible). That is why I ordered the needle bearing recommended. That and good lubricant in the slot, is supposed to minimize the likelihood of that happening. Those photos in that thread are hard to look at, yikes!

So I gave it another shot this morning... and so many rookie mistakes...

First... never turn on the machine and walk away to take out the dog, without realizing that you left the lever in the up position Fortunately I got back in time to turn it off and lower the lever before it overfilled the small bowl I placed under it and before the water from the tank went down to critical level...



After that... used the Elektra basket, started with the grind settings I had before, 14 grams instead of 12, since I had plenty of head space... do all the mystical moves before trying to insert the bottomless portafilter... and this (the photo is a recreation of the situation... you can see that in this photo the coffee has not been tamped and the basket is inserted incorrectly in the pf)...



So lowered the lever, installed the basket correctly in the portafilter... and start the process again... but first, I had to make a shot in the other machine to start the day...



Here is the video of that shot after tamping and inserting correctly in the pf...


I am doing one more with 15 grams and same grind settings to see if that finally does the trick. Will be right back.

15 grams in Elektra basquet. I need to count the dots on the Helor 101 grinder to document the setting... But this one tasted great (I still add two cubes of sugar)...
Designated tester before sugar gets added (my father-in-law)



Some photos of the prep work...

Looking very good! You're almost there.

Just saw last post; all I can say is, WOW!

Thank you. I am all over with the lever as I try to hold the phone while taking the video and then lowering the lever... and I don't think that 1:20 to make a shot is correct either... you guys talk about 25-35 seconds for the pull. I took approximately 1 minute 20 seconds from when the first drop came out to lever completely down!. Anyway, I think that for this coffee (Vivace Dolce), I found the grind and dose so that is great!

I tried 16 grams next but I don't think that I was consistent on the way I prep for the pull... for the video before this one, I raised the lever twice after lowering it a bit... so that previous shot had a little bit more water and it shows when compared to this last pull... I need to place the camera on a stand so that I can focus on the pull... anyway, wanted to share as well... I think that this is the right dose, but I just need to replicate what I did on the pull with 15 grams...
My kids grew up drinking coffee... so they would walk by, see me making these espressos and they would just grab them and keep walking away with them... That is a good thing... nothing goes to waste and I don't end up over caffeinated

That is what I want to get to... I read of you guys saying or describing how sweet a shot could be without any sugar... On the Breville I have tried different doses, grind settings, shot duration, coffee beans, etc. and I can't pull a shot that I would describe as sweet... I always end up needing to add just a bit of sugar to it...

There is a forum member that lives close by. The plan is for him to help me dial in the Rocket to see and compare shots. To be able to determine if there is something wrong that I am doing that is preventing me from getting a shot that I could drink without the need of sugar.

I have gone through 10 different beans since I got the Breville. In the last few weeks I went from Starbucks and the Delonghi to adding the Breville->Rocket->and most recently, La Pavoni) and all these different coffee beans.

If you have a coffee that could recommend, I am willing to try it. The challenge is always having the same coffee, equipment, settings, etc. to be able to compare shots. I am waiting for the orders to open up for a grinder from Denis (Monolith Conical), that will rule out limitations due to the grind... I will be running out of excuses and it will all point to me as the limiting factor!!