Hi mikeo,
One thing that the old Briggs and Rattlers were really good at and that was inducing vibration as that's how they are.
Honda's are the perfect upgrade for a 20 inch machine, for any machine I'd say, but one must think about originality or practicality when embarking on a restoration.
I've always said, the 20 inch twin railer was a design failure from day one and the 17 inch from day two. the earlier solid decks if maintained correctly are still the best design by far, but the twin railers do look a tad better though, but that's just my humble opinion.
Now as far as selling the machine is concerned your size lawn must be taken into consideration as the 20 inch is without a doubt the best machine for a largish lawn, but if a 17 is good enough you might be able to fund the 17 out of the proceeds of the 20, that's if you can get those rails repaired at a sensible cost or no cost a all by knowing someone in the trade of welding.
I've always thought of a piece of 5mm steel plate being welded into place between the two rails but hidden by the engine when fitted. To date I haven't seen it done yet and I think someone on this forum was against it when it was brought up once before.
Happy to be corrected on that though.
Cheers,
BB
