Upgrading Espresso Gaggia to Classic Specification 

Cute machine! Love my Gaggia Classic Pro. Running strong. 🏃‍♂️

Beautiful machine. 👍

Hey, thanks for the great video. I have a Gaggia Espresso (#101221 04/12/98) and until this video I was looking in vain for any information on the machine ... Looks like I have a slightly different model and have a question about it as I would like to set it up and possibly modify it (without prior Gaggia knowledge): - I already have the 3 way controlled pumped pressure in the same place. Screw and opening to the container at the bottom instead of the hose. Can I adjust the pressure at the lower screw? Does the nut and spring above the screen have any influence here? - The pressure relief valve(?) with hose is on top of the component for the milk foamer. The button for activation is separate on the front. - so the only thing I'm "missing" is the solenoid valve - what would be the advantages of retrofitting it? Unfortunately, I can't find any spare parts explicitly for this machine - which machine can I select in the spare parts search/is most similar?

I was JUST thinking about doing the same with an old Gaggia Espresso machine.

Very cool tutorial thank you for sharing it. Will keep me eyes open for a espresso gaggia to perform this mod on. PS I love the retrolook of this gaggia.

Great video!

I'm currently doing the same on my gaggia coffee, because I thought it was a gaggia classic when I bought it. I know. Rookie mistake, but you've got to do the best of it. I've already sunk another hundred bucks into it for the grouphead and the solenoid valve. I'm also going to upgrade the steam wand, which is another 30 bugs and am going to turn it into a gagguino. I'm also thinking of removing the water funnel and water tank and getting a little hose that I can put into a water bottle, because that just seems way easier to clean. I don't shy away from the huge amount of work that would take, but it would annoy the shit out of me, if I had to remove the waste tube, before being able to remove the water tank. I'm just weird that way.

I have one of these machines and I'm planning on doing a similar upgrade in preparation for the Gaggiuino mod :) Im curious how you managed the OPV here? I have a similar looking T-fitting coming off the pump, and a parts diagram for the espresso calls this an OPV, but I'm not sure how to adjust it? Also, thanks for the vid!

I have the retro model. But it has 3 buttons and looks like the same case. Does that mean it has a 3 way. We acquired one that doesn't flow water out the group, much or none at all. Previous owner didn't use it in the past 10 years. I plan to descale but if the group doesn't flow, i bet this wont help much? Thanks for the upgrade info, i'll tear mine down and see if it has it. Cheers Love me some coffee coffee coffee. I just roasted some timor leste organic. Espresso of this coffee is the best I've had in a while. I use a silvia and sette.

I found this video because I’ve been looking for a ‘cheap’/used Gaggia Classic, I guess. Really nice video, and a very interesting channel. I would like to hear from you about which machines, or which kinds of machines I might look to find for cheap, and then upgrade, or restore for fun, and profit. Thoughts?

Thanks for the vid! Just discovered an old gaggia espresso from 96 in my parents basement and now trying to get it to work. It sort of works, but the screen where the water flows through is blocked by lime. When I turn on the steamer (after flushing the system with the delimer, it smells a bit „old“). Do you maybe have some pointers I could follow? Cheers

Hi! I have one of these as well, do you have a link to the steam wand you used to upgrade with? All the ones I've tried didn't quite fit. Super cool video! I'm loving the look of mine

Love this restoration! I love the idea of mixing up parts to make older machines work better instead of throwing them out to buy something new. I am currently doing the same thing with my favorite old Gaggia Coffee which internally is similar to Gaggia Espresso (no OPV or solenoid). I have added the OPV and solenoid on the Classic group easily enough. I just can't figure out the wiring like you have. I don't understand what you mean by "wiring the solenoid in parellel with the pump" Would you mind explaining that a bit better? Also would if work if I have added a dimmer mod? Thanks so much, any help is super appreciated, you seem to be the only one on the internet that has done this cool project!

what was the cost?

Hello, thank you for the video. I have a Gaggia espresso. Did you replace boiler and group head from the Gaggia Classic?

Hi there - I recently was given a non-functioning Gaggia Coffee (pump runs but no water comes out). I was told it wasn't worth fixing but your video has inspired me. Where does the Gaggia Coffee fit in to the range? Looks to be the same vintage as your machine. I can't find any info on it online. I looked at the inside and it appears to have the 3-way and OPV but I may be mistaken. Thanks

Nice going on that upgrade! I have a metal case Gaggia Coffee from the '80's. Is this a machine that can use an upgrade as well?

Very cool. I found a used (1995 build date) Gaggia Espresso. It was in great shape and had all the accessories. I did the same thing to mine and also replaced the boiler. It wasn't in bad shape for its age, but I figured I might as well make everything "new" again. I really like the look of the Gaggia Espresso over the Classic. I recently did the Gaggiuino upgrade to mine.

Thanks great video ihave the same model but it has aproblem in the pump but idont no how its looks like some told me its 64wat pump if you had apicture for it i will be so greatfull

Hi, what steam wand is this? I have one with a panarello that I’m looking to upgrade. Any leads?

I have a similar machine and I wanted to know what happens if the brass valve near the pump is around 2 rounds screwed. I couldn't put the original settings because the screw was damaged. Do you know if any similar replacement exist?

Where did you purchase the OPV valve? It that also a Gaggia part or is it something aftermarket?

There's one of these listed for $100 on my local Marketplace. Is it worth it as is without the tweaks or should I bypass living with it and go straight for the upgrages.

Where did you purchase the parts? I have this machine and I’m interested especially in the OPV mod but can’t figure out which one is the right one when looking g at parts online.

I have a slightly newer espresso model, the valve on my pump looks exactly the same as yours and they even put a hole right under for a hose to come out the bottom it seems. But how do you adjust it for 9 bars? I’m not terribly concerned about the 3 way solenoid, unless that’s the only way I can get my machine to 9 bars.

Oh man I just passed up one of these because it didn’t have a 3 way valve. I’ll start looking for another one now

Just snagged one of these on ebay! Looking forward to modding mine in a similar fashion. For the OPV, did you also salvage that from a Classic, or was that just a generic part? edit: Just saw your below reply to someone else recommending part no. WGAEF0062/01/A. Thanks for all your help in the comments here :)

Where did you get the OPV valve from?

Great video about a great machine, thank you, but is it not inadvertently a little misleading? You compare the two boilers outside of the machine on your desk but the one purported to be inside the lovely Gaggia Espresso at , say, 2 min 08 seconds is not similar to the one that is actually seen to be fitted in the chassis at 4min 30 seconds. The one inside your Espresso clearly does not have the 4 electrical connectors on top (as featured in the Classic boiler) and also has the steam tap fixture in a different position along with a circular fuse wired on top and two electric connectors down on the side of the boiler. I only point this out as whilst the Classic boiler would indeed fit in this it isn't so straightforward as far as electrics and attachments are concerned.

Hi there! I have a few questions about the parts for you to do the same mod to the same machine. I'm looking at a 3way solenoid now and it's listed at 230v, will this work? I also found a Classic group but the little copper stem doesn't seem to be a part of it. Can I pop the original one on there? At least I ordered the valve so far. Thanks very much!

What makes a 3 way better than 1 way?

So annoying that you didn’t show how you did the 9 bar spring mod!!! I want to do this to my cubika

Can i buy this from you ?