1979 Honda Odyssey FL250. Note the original engine has been replaced with a Polaris 440 cc snowmobile engine. The original engine is a 250cc single cylinder air-cooled two stroke engine.
The first generation Honda Odyssey can be identified by the yellow body with the black roll bar and no front bumper. Lack of suspension in the rear caused problems with stress cracks in the frame and handling in rough terrain. Heating issues were also an issue with this model. In 1980 the head light was moved from the front rack to the top of the roll bar and the 6 volt system was changed to a 12 volt system. Options included a rear tote rack, chevron pattern tires, and trailer hitch.
In 1981, the second generation Honda Odyssey was introduced. Although mechanically identical to the first generation, Honda changed the look of the Odyssey by changing the colors to Honda Red and adding a full cage roll-bar. Other improvements included improved shoulder harness padding, 60 watt rectangular headlight mounted high on the roll-bar, improved water resistance in the torque converter, larger capacity fuel filter, capacitor ignition(CDI), roll bar mounted air intake, and redesigned steering geometry allowing larger front shock absorbers and tighter turning radius.
Specifications (FL250)
Length: 82.48 in (2,095 mm)
Width: 48.43 in (1,230 mm)
Height: 1977-1980 - 60.04 in (1,525 mm), 1981-1984 - 57.7 in (1,470 mm) to top of roll bar
Wheelbase: 56.5 in (1,440 mm)
Turning Radius: 1977-80 - 17.4 ft (5.3 m), 1981–84 - 14.1 ft (4.3 m)
Scheduled to appear in spring 1984,[2] the FL350R was delayed until early 1985. Honda upgraded the two-stroke engine to 342 cc (20.9 cu in) which was later decreased to 329 cc (20.1 cu in) in a recall.[3] The engine was mounted behind the driver,[2] and featured 6.7:1 compression, capacitor discharge ignition a 32 mm (1.26 in)-throat Keihincarburetor, and added electric starting.[2] To improve stability, track was increased in 1985, to 42.5 in (1,080 mm) front and 47.2 in (1,200 mm) rear.[2] Wheel travel is to 4.3 in (110 mm) front, 5.9 in (150 mm) rear.[2] In addition, mechanical disc brakes were replaced with dual hydraulic drums in front and a single hydraulic rear disc.[2] The transmission was a variable-pitch torque converter with one speed forward and one reverse.[2] Fuel capacity was 3.1 US gallons (12 L) (with .7 US gal (2.6 L) reserve).[2] The FL350 was replaced by the FL400 Pilot in 1989.
Specifications (FL350)
Length: 85 in (2,200 mm)
Width: 58.1 in (1,480 mm)
Height: 54.7 in (1,390 mm) to top of roll cage
Wheelbase: 60.6 in (1,540 mm)
Ground clearance: 8.3 in (210 mm)
Dry weight: 602 lb (273 kg)
Engine:
Bore: 80 mm (3.1 in), 78.5 mm (3.09 in) after recall[3]
Stroke: 68 mm (2.7 in)
Displacement: 342 cc (20.9 cu in), 329 cc (20.1 cu in) after recall
