Bar blade mowers are truly disposable like tissues. You are making use of their good features that still have life left and as long as that gives you a good feeling and doesn't affect anyone else, you're doing the right thing.
It makes me feel good just seeing the transformations into desirable mowers. The bases have excellent paint and wheels in most cases.

Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!