Over the years, I have come across some very clever backyard mending jobs to various mowers, most quite well done, some not so, but adequate. I think finding mowers with these eclectic repair jobs they can be a great way to get ideas and make the machines unique.
I have a Victa Vortex with some very solid over engineered repairs to the base and catcher. I actually like them and it makes my mower unique and doesn't detract from it's style.