See that flat plate with 3 screws right behind the hook? Behind that plate is the hook drive gear. Clean out the old hard grease and replace it with fresh grease. It's not usually a gear that's locked up, it's usually oil that's old and turned varnish like. That's why I suggested using rubbing alcohol as it dissolves old dried oil almost immediately.

Cari

Can you turn the hand wheel at all? If you can, drop a little oil on the part that move. If you can't drop a little oil on the parts that should move - try to gently turn it as you oil. You can use Tri-Flo if you like - get it at a bike shop. There does seem to be a little glaze on some of the moving parts. What you don't want is the alcohol to clean things off then not enough lube and the parts that move can rust. The gear box does need some clean up, get regular grease for it. I think if you search Joe has made a lot of comments on grease.

Ok, I took the plate off and there was A LOT of brown grease in there, it was at least 2cm deep. I got most of it out but it doesn't look like its stuck because the grease is not hard. Should I clean all of it out because I don't know what I'd use to get it all out. There is some movement when I turn the wheel, like the thread take up, but it just stops and I can still turn the wheel but nothing moves. I'm going to get the singer oil just because its all I could find without having to wait for it from Amazon.
Wow...I am so thankful to all of you! This machine means a lot to me.

I finally got back on this board and read a request to post the pic of my Riccar here. It's in storage currently but hopefully will find our new home soon.

Hi! I am new to this site, and new to collecting vintage sewing machines. I just picked up a machine, and would like to know more about it, please:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]521726[/ATTACH]

Underneath, it says:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]521727[/ATTACH]

And it it has an "alpha sew" belt:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]521728[/ATTACH]

Is is it a rebadged Singer 15-30? Thank you!

I am pretty weak on Japanese machines, but I CAN tell you it is NOT rebadged 15-30. Singer 15's ( and 15 class machines) are a straight stitch machine, no ZZ function.

I forgot to mention it is a very solid and appealing looking machine... to bad about the "pin rash" type damage on the pillar, she appears almost pristine other than that.

That is not a rebadged 15-30 it is just a zig zag machine. Neat and I would love to play with it though.

pin rash might just be a sign of a nice working machine