The Cricket Story (who's got one or any advertising literature, please let me know :)

Fleming Manufacturing (FM) in Jackson started in 1946 in the basement of Roy Fleming Sr making products for Military Contracts.

In 1970, FM looked at getting into the early ATV market.

Roy had some very talented team members (like Gene Proseus (Master Fabricator) and Dan Yother (visionary draftsman that designed it and the logo)).

Together with other team members they built two prototypes for testing.

After hundreds of hours of testing, while refining, all around Ella Sharp Park the decision was made to build 250 units.

They named it Cricket. The Cricket was unique at the time because of the 2 x 1 wheel configuration (two front wheels).

This made it very stable. They sold locally at stores like Hammond Hardware for $395. Powered by a 5hp Tecumseh top speed was about 30 mph.

The rear tire was a rimless, yes rimless, BF Goodrich High Flex that measured 19.625 x 11.125 and only needed 2 psi to get the job done.

Skis were an option if a person wanted to swap out the front tires for winter use.

Coupled with the High Floatation rear tire and the Cricket’s light weight it was excellent for over the snow travel.

The Cricket was a high quality machine, even the gas cap had a unique even cool looking fuel level built into it so you wouldn't have to guess or

use a stick to see how much fun you had left.

For Christmas in 1971 Fleming personally delivered a Cricket to each of the four employees who were instrumental in the production process.

Unfortunately, the weak economy coupled with high fuel prices the Cricket was short-lived.

With the 2 x 1 tire configuration the Cricket was ahead of its time,

a fact when years later Bombardier built the Can-Am Spyder Street Bike with 2 x 1 configuration and

touted the units excellent stability in a heavy marketing champaign comparing it to a normal motorcycle.

Thank you so much goes out to Eric Proseus, Gene’s son, for the Cricket detailed information and pictures to help others.