Hi John,
Hi pretty much support the choice MS has used, but taking in mind it is a 14 inch machine that he has it fitted on. Honda have superb parts availability, pricey yes but regardless bits are available.
What I really do like about the newer generation of Briggs engines is that the 3.5 Hp unit can be started and run sitting on a surface unmounted and stay there. This is particularly good for Twin Rail Model 45 owners that have to deal with rail fracture issues constantly.
Many of these older machines are full of fractures and when repairing them gussets have to be used if placing the older model Briggs and Kirby's back on them. If upgrading to the new Briggs unit all that has to be done is to simply repair the fractures and grind flush back to original, then fit the new engine as it won't fall apart again just like it would if re-fitting an original Kirby etc. back on.
In the end if getting someone else to do the repairs this will make the end bill much cheaper, as honestly this Model 45 caper has just gotten so out of hand price wise. Parts is where most of the costs are going to.
We had a chap here in Adelaide that has a Series One, 20 inch Model 45 totally unrestored and in rather poor condition and without a catcher for $1,600 on Gumtree. This is the new glass ceiling for unrestored Model 45's I'd say.
Cheers,
BB.
Last edited by Bonnar_Bloke; 13/12/19 07:05 AM. Reason: removed Gumtree link due to it's expiry
