I just received a Riviera lever machine I purchased off ebay. It appears to be in good condition the cup seals are soft and in good shape. The first test the machine started to go way over pressure so it looks like the pressure switch was not working. I disassembled it and found a very sticky grease substance on the shaft that operates the micro switch so I hope cleaning that up solves that problem. The unit looks like it had limited use in it's day.

Now for the bigger problems. There is no shower screen with the unit, so I was wondering if the proper one is supposed to fit over the end of the piston housing? I was thinking of making one if need be since it sounds like parts are impossible to come by. Does anyone know how this screen is attached?

Second problem is there was only a single shot filter with it, where would I get a 49 mm double shot filter?

I have toyed with the idea of making a control box with a PID temperature control since I have a Watlow controller in my junk box from another project. I don't know if it would be worth it on a machine like this.

Comments on this unit are welcome.

Any trick to getting the heating element out. I don't want to damage anything when I take it out.

The fittings all look like they are British Straight Pipe threads (BPS) Good thing Swagelok makes fitting for this. I will be changing the base so that I can add my temperature control unit since the pressure switch on this one has a dead band that is way too large. I'll put together a cad model and post it here.

Hello Greg,
I am not an expert, but I searched the sites. There are La Pavoni older model,
Elektra Casa a Leva and Olympia Cremina are in 49mm baskets.
I think you can find this on espressoparts / 1st line.
Please correct me if there are any mistake.
Have a nice day.

Some of the newer "Gensaco" machines appear similar in size to the Riviera. Perhaps a shower screen would fit?

There was a Riviera Seals thread recently - the author of that may have found a parts source.

In the very short term you can just turn off the machine when it gets to pressure, leave it off until just ready to use, then turn it on for the shot and back off. Crude, but its just a manual pstat.

PC

Also, the Poccino espresso makers sold in Europe may also be similar in design to the old Rivieras.

PC

I had an older Riveria and it had a 45 mm group. Are you sure yours is 49?

Mine has a 45mm group as well. The unit looks like it was hardly used there is no scale in the boiler just a small green from the copper. The boiler fitting look like the have a metric 10x1.0 thread which I guess is a metric equivalent to a BSP thread. Luck for me Swagelok has this thread but I'll have to add an adapter to get my thermocouple in the boiler. This means a new base is not optional so I might as well add a pull out drip tray and a reservoir with a pump for refilling the boiler. As one of the guys at work said "it's a lot of work for a cup of coffee."

Why do you think a wide dead-band is sub-optimal on a small single-boiler lever machine?

Regards
Timo

timo888 wrote:Why do you think a wide dead-band is sub-optimal on a small single-boiler lever machine?

Regards
Timo

If I adjust it so it comes on it over heats (red lines the pressure gage) so then I adjust it to turn off and it will cycle once but not turn back on. The switch is basically gone. I think this is too large of a dead band

This machine looks like it was used very little but then sat with some water in it so things like the pressure switch and the waterline fill valve are no good anymore. I have the parts and the facility to do these changes so I might as well have some fun.

JavaJazz wrote:This machine looks like it was used very little but then sat with some water in it so things like the pressure switch and the waterline fill valve are no good anymore. I have the parts and the facility to do these changes so I might as well have some fun.

I was advised by Chris Cara (Thomas Cara & Sons, importer of these machines) not to use the fill valve. While I don't remember the reason I took him at his word and never connected it. I don't think Cara works on these machines anymore but they may still have some spare parts. You'd need to call (they're in San Francisco) since they don't have a website.