Basket case 400 cc Honda Oddessy

[fasterSr]

Been looking for an intro cart and when I finally find reasonable (?) one to learn and play with...I got no $$$ for 30 days. Well, maybe I could sell some silver but IDK. For a $100? Or $125 Would you?

 

[landuse]

That looks pretty beat up. You will need some more $ just to get it up and running

 

[fasterSr]

Got a little extra $$$ coming in March but kinda tight doing it right now. Agreed on roughness. I saw one in action many years ago and was very fast with a teen driving in it. Was wondering if cutting off the back and framing in a 420 Predator would work? Front end looks good enuff to take a closer look at it but just curious what everyone thinks first?

 

[Karttekk]

If it were me I'd pass. Kart is obsolete, parts will be an issue and it's been sitting out too long. My suggestion would be to find something that is relatively intact and everything is still there for the most part from the factory. Later model Manco or American Sportworks buggies, maybe an older Trailmaster or Hammerhead. At least parts and support are still available for these karts. You might find something here in addition to the regular sources like Craigslist, Facebook, eBay.

Thanks

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

It's a shame what neglect can do.

 

[Kartorbust]

I'd offer about $100 and take measurements off of it and build your own. At least then you can collect parts when permitted and just slowly put it together. I agree that you probably should not try to restore this as parts for these are rare and will take a ton of money to put it back together. It's a great template to get most of what you need. Its a bummer Honda won't build newer ones (the Polaris ACE has nothing on these).

 

[Texan]

I'd buy it. These do not come up for sell very often, plus you will be saving it from further deterioration, rescue you it in other words. Yes, it will take time and money to get it going, but consider it an investment. You could easily clean it up as it is and make it somewhat presentable and sell it for more than $100 easily. Hondas are desirable, and many people are willing spend lots of money restoring them.

Pictures never tell the whole story, so it might be in better or worse shape in person.

 

[anickode]

If it were me I'd pass. Kart is obsolete, parts will be an issue and it's been sitting out too long. My suggestion would be to find something that is relatively intact and everything is still there for the most part from the factory. Later model Manco or American Sportworks buggies, maybe an older Trailmaster or Hammerhead. At least parts and support are still available for these karts. You might find something here in addition to the regular sources like Craigslist, Facebook, eBay.

Thanks

The Honda Odyssey, despite its age, is in a league of its own compared to most go kart buggies. It was designed from the ground up as an ATV, not an adaptation of a go kart.

That being said, you were right calling this a basket case. I wouldn't touch it unless your goal is a long-term restoration project. Like a classic car that's been left to rot behind an abandoned farm, this thing could take years and thousands of dollars to get it back to what it was. At least a buggy doesn't have bodywork to deal with.

 

[Dirtracingchamp]

I'd offer about $100 and take measurements off of it and build your own. At least then you can collect parts when permitted and just slowly put it together. I agree that you probably should not try to restore this as parts for these are rare and will take a ton of money to put it back together. It's a great template to get most of what you need. Its a bummer Honda won't build newer ones (the Polaris ACE has nothing on these).

Also, try an salvage the motor. I've learn that no matter how much $$ it takes to re build a honda, it will be better than a predator in the end. Reuse the Honda

 

[mckutzy]

What are you sayin... A Honda in the hand is better than a Derp in the bush...

 

[KartFab]

What are you sayin... A Honda in the hand is better than a Derp in the bush...

hahaha!

I can attest to that. My 'stroker gx390' on my mini bike was purchased for $75 and had significant pitting and damage to the bore. The head was in perfect shape, guides, bearings etc. Bored to 90mm from 88 and it runs like a champ with a few hundred dollars in performance parts

I also am a bit of a hoarder, and i have stopped 'collecting' stuff that i can restore or flip until i can flip a few karts and mini bikes. If you cant immediately flip it, or immediately envision yourself dedicating hours and hours to the restoration, dont even bother or you will have it sitting back behind your barn rusting away for years to come.

 

[Kartorbust]

It might not be a Honda 400cc could be a Rotax. The only 400cc buggy Honda built was the Pilot.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Those slender frame rails look Pilot-y to me.

 

[Kartorbust]

Pilot had A arms, odyssey was j arm in the front.

 

[fasterSr]

I agree with it being a Pilot and appreciate all the comments/input. I thought about taking a look at it today and take a shot @ 60 or 80...but after seeing what it started out as...and the inevitable parts problems, I'm gonna pass. Not exactly a starter kart for me...more like a frustration with payments. The only reason I took note of it as things like karts for cheap don't show up much in my neck of the woods and we're a good two hours from any town w/10K population.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

A frustration with payments. AKA a boat.

 

[fasterSr]

LOL I didn't want to say it but yep, Break Out Another Thousand, best two days you'll ever have with it. Been there done that!

 

[KartFab]

An old head once told me. Boats, women, and planes... what do they all have in common? They are always cheaper to rent than to keep. ...Nervous laugh... I will excuse myself from this conversation to avoid any misogyny.

 

[doggerss]

the only thing left oddessey on that is maybe the front suspension and steering wheel. somebody grafted a three wheeler rear end and engine onto the rear of it and it's not a 400. it most likely is a 200 but a 250 at most. odesseys were all 2 stroke they had a 250cc first then the 350cc and the pilot was the finally evolution of it with a 400cc and a different and better suspension. the suspension was the real reason a pilot was so good.

personally if you want a oddessey it's not for you. if you want it for making something cool out of it I'd offer 50 bucks at most.

 

[fasterSr]

Here is the other local "bargain" coming in @ $85...