Lever "leva" espresso machine.

Zacconi Riviera

My "new" vintage lever. Currently being overhauled for Saturday delivery. Espresso lever machine with steam wand.


These never go out of style.

very beautiful.  i have always wanted one.

(04-08-2016, 05:36 AM)asiliski Wrote: very beautiful.  i have always wanted one.

Thanks. I also have this basic lever coming from Italy. VAM aka Caravel Arrarex. Not sexy chrome but cult following for making great espresso on an easy to service machine.

Nice! Do you mind me asking what you paid, because a Coworker wants a lever machine but is a cheapskate. Is it a spring lever?

Hi Fellas,

Congrats! Beautiful machines, I am a "Lever Head" also and seeing these pics almost brought a tear of seller's remorse to my eye
thinking of my"ex" Sama Export Lever I sold 2 weeks ago, (to finance some saving gear, as a newbie I am in the exciting acquisition mode of wet shaving)!
 I AM looking for a Peppini Lever if anyone happens to come across one.
Have a couple of Gaggia Babys  and another Lever Machine and a nice one group Elektra to help keep the tears away though...

Brew on!

Palomar Glenn

(03-01-2016, 10:20 AM)Red Rider Wrote: Zacconi Riviera

My "new" vintage lever. Currently being overhauled for Saturday delivery. Espresso lever machine with steam wand.


These never go out of style.

Beautiful, just beautiful!!

Awesome and serious espresso machines!  Did you buy a transformer for the 220v power?

Eric

(04-13-2016, 02:16 PM)EricM Wrote: Awesome and serious espresso machines!  Did you buy a transformer for the 220v power?

Eric

Funny you mention that. I'm still waiting on the Italian VAM and will have to buy a transformer. The repair friend I met is in the process of converting one over to 110v.

(04-09-2016, 10:55 AM)Palomar glenn Wrote: Hi Fellas,

Congrats! Beautiful machines, I am a "Lever Head" also and seeing these pics almost brought a tear of seller's remorse to my eye
thinking of my"ex" Sama Export Lever I sold 2 weeks ago, (to finance some saving gear, as a newbie I am in the exciting acquisition mode of wet shaving)!
 I AM looking for a Peppini Lever if anyone happens to come across one.
Have a couple of Gaggia Babys  and another Lever Machine and a nice one group Elektra to help keep the tears away though...

Brew on!

Palomar Glenn

Sama Exports are nice. Crazy4espresso on home barista site can help you find what your looking for.

(04-08-2016, 03:53 PM)Gig103 Wrote: Nice! Do you mind me asking what you paid, because a Coworker wants a lever machine but is a cheapskate. Is it a spring lever?

The Zacconi is a spring lever the Arrarex is not. The Vam cost just under $300eu with shipping included. The Zacconi is 110v and bought locally.

(04-13-2016, 04:58 PM)Red Rider Wrote:

(04-13-2016, 02:16 PM)EricM Wrote: Awesome and serious espresso machines!  Did you buy a transformer for the 220v power?

Eric

Funny you mention that. I'm still waiting on the Italian VAM and will have to buy a transformer. The repair friend I met is in the process of converting on over to 110v.

I lived in Italy for a few years and this was a known issue people had to resolve when bringing their espresso machines back to the US.  Easily solved and you can't beat the real deal!  Congrats on some killer machines!  

What kind of grinder are you using?

Eric

She arrived  . Good and bad. Either forgot or does not have PF basket. 

Finished restoring newly acquired Caravel with new seals. First shot below.

Edit: Ended up selling this one but see below.   P.S. Base on upside down, corrected.

 These are not overly difficult to restore, easy to use and not as fussy about the grind like most other machines.
I enjoy restoring these older 50/60's Italian espresso machines. The Vam \ Caravel Arrarex. Occasionally I sell but end up finding and restoring again. Recently sold a nice 1.3 ver. Only to replace with this 1.0 ver. Here is my latest find, liking the yellow.

Shown here drying during some assembly after a 24 hrs O2/detergent and mild brushing. I replaced all the gaskets including the portafileter seal. I also upgrade some of the internal wiring to new high temp. Should last another 50 years.
Secret is to add boiling water to kettle to expedite time to desired temp. These are not high power machines. The water sits in a kettle above the burner and never makes contact with it. They make for a wonderful clean cup of espresso. On a side note I'm in the process of getting some pricing on having some bottomless portafilters and tampers made.

Very Nice Robert! They have wonderful character.

Check out Thor tampers Les does beautiful work. Here is one of his. Bethlehem  Olive wood.

(06-25-2016, 03:36 PM)eengler Wrote: Very Nice Robert! They have wonderful character.

Thanks, I agree. Simple form factor makes for a beauty.

(06-25-2016, 03:52 PM)Barrylu Wrote: Check out Thor tampers Les does beautiful work. Here is one of his. Bethlehem  Olive wood.

Really like the knurling on that wood. Does he make brush handles ?

(06-25-2016, 06:43 PM)Red Rider Wrote:

(06-25-2016, 03:52 PM)Barrylu Wrote: Check out Thor tampers Les does beautiful work. Here is one of his. Bethlehem  Olive wood.

Really like the knurling on that wood. Does he make brush handles ?

Mostly espresso knobs, levers,portafilter handles and pens. He is a master crafter. I bet he might be interested in doing one