Maybe its because I haven't changed the portafilter seal in a long time. But I replaced my portafilter seal in the Londinium R with one from BOSCO. It's so tight now I have to hold the machine to get the portafilter on and off. I feel like I am going to break something. Any recommendations?

Sounds like you might be cranking it to a desired position (i.e. 6 o'clock) which with the new gasket is too tight. Perhaps it would be better to just engage and tighten to a reasonable tightness.