I have been working on an '85 Livietta and picked up this '91 Livietta for $400 just in case I needed some of the parts, specifically the water tank, pstat, 54mm PF, and double basket . I have the '85 up and running and I found a 54mm 16g basket that fits, so I no longer need this guy. This '91 is completely functional. All the seals are good. I replaced the PF o-ring (I had to drill out the old one). The boiler has been descaled. The group has been thoroughly back-flushed. The the whole thing has been cleaned up and it looking well and working well. The frame is in good shape, but the thin metal internal plates have some rust. There is still a bit of work to do, but I have too many projects and am hoping to pass this one on to someone else. As it stands, this is about the best espresso machine you can get for $400. Its not pristine and needs some work, but I'm not asking what a fully restored one of these costs. If you wan't to take your first step into the land of vintage Olympia espresso machines this is the perfect one.
I'll post pictures in a bit, right now my "work space" (kitchen table) is occupied by a Maximatic that will be replacing the '85 Livietta when it's ready.
Listing Details Asking / Suggested Price: 400 Seller Name: Russel Philip Seller Location: Los Angeles Sale Type: For Sale
Posted Sat May 12, 2012, 2:08pm Subject: Re: FS: '91 Pasquini Livietta - $400
There has been a lot of interest in this, which I think is justified as $400 is a good price for a seriously solid HX in good shape. I have answered the same couple of questions several times, so I'm just going to address them here.
Concerning Restoration:
What needs to be done right now:
Nothing!
What should be done in the immediate future:
Strip the paint off of the internal metal plates (not the frame, the frame is fine), remove the rust, and either repaint, powder coar, or my favorite apply a coat or two of clear high heat resistant marine *engine laquer! I got dissatisfied with the amount of rust on the plates, and am removing it and coating it in engine lacquer myself.
What could be done when you feel like it:
Replace the seals (complete kit is $88 from Orphan)
Pull out the little dents in the top cover
Find a little white circle for the top of the boiler cap or replace the cracked cap body with a really nice wooden one.
Replace the discolored and sticky 3-way valve discharge tube.
Add an OPV.
Insulate the boiler
Re-chrome or replace the worn steam wand.
track down the little washer that goes between the top plate and the nut that holds it in place.
track down or make yourself the thin plastic/rubber edging that goes between the top plate and the rest of the machine.
remove any swirling and markings on the stainless steel surfaces
add additional padding around the pump to make a even more quiet
Other things:
If the pictures aren't clear, this has a brown case with a black frame. The drip tray is black plastic (not as nice as the stainless, but less clanky). The face plate is black with gold lettering. The 54mm PF is in great shape. The Pasquini logo and motto are in good shape. The pump is not the well respected Fluid-o-tech that's in my other Olympia HXs. The pump is an ULKA or ULKA style. I don't know what the pressure performance of it is, or how it compares to the FOT. If you where really concerned about it you could replace it with an FOT or add the OPV from Orphan for $13. I would consider this easy to do but fairly advanced geekery. What's nice about these machines is that the simple layout and accessible design invites this kind of tinkering.
I was taking some pictures of the rust on the case plates and it was a little more than I was comfortable passing off to someone else. So I am removing it and will give it a coat of clear engine lacquer.
This machine no longer requires any non-cosmetic restoration.
I was taking some pictures of the rust on the case plates and it was a little more than I was comfortable passing off to someone else. So I am removing it and will give it a coat of clear engine lacquer.
This machine no longer requires any non-cosmetic restoration.
Just a niggle to give you a hard time but do you mean it does not need any cosmetic restoration? As written, it needs work to the way it looks but the insides are OK.
I think I will pay for this comment on Sunday! LOL!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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