Square tool box

[Steve Little]

Hi.
I have found out the following information on the "Rectangular" toolboxes.
The original toolboxes have brass locks.
It would seem that steel locks denote aftermarket, regardless of recessed lock or not.
The toolboxes that were supplied with new bikes had the door hinge lock that held the door open.
Over the counter "replacement" toolboxes were not fitted with this hinge lock but had the little rivits fitted. Perhaps to fill the holes and keep water out. (This is only my guess)
The hinge lock was not offered sepperatley
Regards Steve

[Sargehere]

Perhaps the rivets are to make it look more original from the outside, regarding that it's supposed to have the hold-open arm that it doesn't.

[Steve Little]

Functionality of design, Repeatability of quality, and bung it out the door as fast as possible.

[Steve Little]

Hi.
I was talking to the guy that gave me the info on the original rectangular toolboxes and I wrote a bit of the information incorrectly, so I feel compeled to make it right.
The toolboxes that were fitted to bikes came with the door stay.
The toolboxes that were sold as over the counter replacements were not fitted with the door stay.
The "over the counter" tool boxes were not drilled or fitted with rivits. I got that bit wrong.
Appologies for any inconvenience.
Regards Steve

[Chris Haynes]

Thanks Steve.
How are you doing?

[Matt McManus]

I had a NOS toolbox that had a steel lock, I also had an original with the hinge that had a steel lock. So I think that it is wrong to say that all originals had brass locks. I have one on my 38UL, I will look to see if it has a brass lock today.

[Steve Little]

Hi Matt.
All accurate information is welcome and needed for those of us that are effected by the incurable "Correctness syndrome"
This syndrome is known to cause aggitation, obsessiveness, constant mind chatter, and eventually total confusion and disulusionment.

Hi Chris.
Ive had 2 good weeks in a row.
I feel like going to a Jitter Joint and doing the twist..... hmmmm! Maybe I wont.

Regards Steve

[Chris Haynes]

I have another toolbox in my hands now. It has no hinge lock. The outer section of the lock is brass while the inner section that the key fits into is steel. '35, '36, '37, '38, and '39 factory photos show the rivets for the hinge lock. I don't have any '40 WL photos where this area can be seen so it is unknown to me if they had the hinge lock or not. So where do these boxes with no hinge lock and steel lock come from? Are they later factory replacements?