My first encounter with a Honda Odyssey was several years after they had ceased production. Born in 1980, I was 14 years old in 1994 when I first laid eyes on this remarkable machine. My best friend had purchased a go-kart, and we spent countless hours riding it up and down my parents' driveway. Jealous of my friend, I yearned for something more robust—built to handle the mountains and fire roads near my home.
Discovering the Honda Odyssey
One day, while riding in the back of my parents' car through our hometown of Chico, California, I spotted something that immediately captured my attention. Parked outside a house was a vehicle unlike any I'd seen before: a full roll cage, big beefy tires, and a powerful engine. It was everything a 14-year-old kid could want. I don't recall the specifics, but either my dad or I spoke to the owner and learned that it was a Honda Odyssey.
The Search Begins
I spent weeks scouring the classified ads in the local newspaper, hoping to find an Odyssey for sale. My persistence paid off when I finally found one! I begged my dad to take me to see it. Located on a ranch near the Sutter Buttes in California, we arrived on a rainy, muddy day. Watching in awe as the owner drove it down his muddy driveway at full speed, I knew I had to have this machine. For the princely sum of $400, I purchased what would become my first Honda Odyssey.
Adventures with My FL250
Back home, we eagerly tried to get her running. Pull-starting the engine turned out to be nearly impossible. Anyone who has pull-started an Odyssey knows it's an all-or-nothing commitment. Even the slightest hesitation results in a sudden jerk as the starter rope halts due to engine compression. Determined, I pulled with all my might and eventually got her started!
Growing Up and Moving On
As years went by, my love for the Odyssey competed with other interests. Riding up and down the rows of walnut trees had its limits, and trips to the mountains were rare. Eventually, the Odyssey was parked in my parents' shop as I went off to school and later joined the Air Force. It became a relic of enjoyable memories from my childhood. When I purchased a home in Sacramento, my dad brought the Odyssey out of storage and delivered it to my garage, where it sat once again. Life with two children, one with special needs, kept me busy.
Saying Goodbye
Realizing that my childhood dream of having a place to ride the Odyssey whenever I wanted wasn't in the cards, I made the difficult decision to sell it. I listed it on Craigslist, and a local sheriff's officer bought it for $450. It was a sad day as I helped load it up and watched it drive away, closing that chapter of my life.
The Unexpected Return
Ironically, that wasn't the end of the story. The buyer began sending me pictures of his restoration work on the Odyssey. Enthused to see the improvements I couldn't afford to make, I watched with envy as he transformed the machine.
Reuniting with My Odyssey
Years later, while going through old emails, I found the restoration pictures. On a whim, I reached out to the buyer and mentioned that if he ever wanted to sell the machine, I'd be interested. To my surprise, he responded that he had been considering selling it and offered it back to me for $500! I jumped at the opportunity—he had essentially stored and restored it for me for about $50.
A New Beginning
The Odyssey returned to my parents' house (much to my father's disapproval of storing it again). This time, I decided to install an electric starter kit. Tired of the struggle with the pull starter, the electric starter made all the difference. Once again, I was zooming through the orchard with a big smile on my face. This time, I shared the fun with my oldest daughter, taking her for rides. I even convinced my dad to take it for a spin!
Adventures at Pismo Beach and Beyond
With the Odyssey back in my life, I purchased a cargo trailer to store and transport it. Over the next couple of years, I made several trips to Pismo Beach/Oceano Dunes OHV with friends. Eventually, I convinced my oldest daughter to join me. Initially hesitant, she quickly became eager for more adventures after her first trip. Now, we go on trips as often as we can—which is never often enough!
Over the next couple of years I made several trips to the Pismo Beach / Oceano Dunes OHV with friends. Eventually I convinced my oldest daughter to start going with me. At first she was hesitant but after the first trip, she was ready for more! Now we go on trips as often as we can, which is never often enough!
The Birth of Oddball ORV
The point of this story is how Oddball ORV came into existence. After purchasing an FL350 Honda Odyssey, I started buying parts from a seller on Facebook. Given the age of these machines, parts are hard to come by. As I bought more parts, we connected and discussed me making parts for him to sell.
Turning Passion into Business
It started with something simple—the air intake for the FL350. Then it moved to a radiator bracket, an aluminum fuel tank, a dash, and more projects on the way! These projects sparked the idea to start a business that followed my passion. With that, Oddball ORV was born!
Although these machines are 40 years old, there's still a passionate community out there. I'm excited to support that community through my contributions to these vintage machines. We have big plans at Oddball and look forward to seeing how they unfold in the future!
Conclusion
My journey with the Honda Odyssey FL250 has come full circle—from the excitement of my first purchase to letting it go, and finally, to getting it back and starting a business inspired by it. It's a testament to how passions can endure and evolve over time, leading to unexpected and rewarding ventures.
