Author Topic: Plunger tool box  (Read 4309 times)

Offline AdrianJ

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Plunger tool box
« on: 30.04. 2019 08:19 »
I have realised that my tool box is (I think) off a rigid frame, though it could be s/a.
There are some plunger B31/33 tool boxes from India advertised on eBay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BSA-B31B33-PLUNGER-MODEL-TOOL-BOX-RAW-STEEL-BRAND-NEW-REPRODUCTION/401473507521?hash=item5d79af90c1:g:mAMAAOSwW09aVKzU
Looking in the the parts book some of the boxes share a part number between B series and A Series.
Does anyone know (or guess) from looking at the picture if this toolbox is also the correct fitment for a plunger A10?
Thanks in advance,
Adrian.
'53 Plunger Flash and Steib S500, ‘66 LE Velocette, ‘53? Winged Wheel


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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #1 on: 30.04. 2019 09:01 »
Adrian, It all depends if you just want a toolbox, or the right one for the year. Like all businesses, survival is the aim, and BSA would use up what they had from previous model years so there is evidence that rigid style triangular toolboxes were used on the early plunger frames.  Once introduced, the larger basic plunger toolbox profile then remained the same, but I have come across boxes with an essentially flat lid, as on early S/A models, and the more widely found slightly domed lid with less angular edge. This could account for the differing part numbers.

  65 9080...A7/A10 Rigid Type, Fitted up to 1953, so can be found on Plunger Frames. Triangular profile to fit snugly into rigid chainstay aperture. Leaves a gap underneath when fitted to a plunger frame.

 67 9007... A7/Star Twin, Spring (Plunger) Frame fitted until 1951.

  67 9002...A7/A10 all models, 1951 onwards. Larger toolbox to fit completely into the plunger chainstay profile.

 An original Plunger Toolbox will have a horizontal metal strip just above the lower edge, parallel to the hinge, to stop the tool roll falling out when vibration opens the lid at that inconvenient moment. As far as I know this is absent on a S/A toolbox, but I could be wrong. This may help identify what toolbox you have. Plunger toolbox also has two bolt holes to attach to the mudguard, plus a locating hole for the frame tube clip. S/A toolbox has completely different mountings, so look for evidence of their removal. Even so,  the S/A Toolbox would be awkward to adapt, and the fitting of one is unlikely.
 There are two  holes to mount the toolbox on an original rear hinged type mudguard, bottom hole just above the lower frame chainstay.

  Roy Bacon's Twin restoration book shows the confusion. Page 13 shows a 1951 A10 Plunger with a triangular rigid frame type toolbox, and a 1950 A10 which appears to have the larger, more common toolbox, with the rounded top profile.

 The eBay one would do, looks OK even down to the tool roll strip, but like all parts sourced this way, quality may be an issue. If you decide  on this product, choose a UK based seller. I don't like the uncertainty of hidden import costs.

 Swarfy.


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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #2 on: 30.04. 2019 09:45 »
G'day Adrian.
My 51 A7 plunger has the earlier rigid type from new (click on link below Muskys A7). As Swarfy said it was fitted up till 53. So if a rivet counter says anything send him here. :P
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR,  '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
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Muskys Plunger A7

Offline AdrianJ

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #3 on: 30.04. 2019 10:24 »
Muskrat and Swarfy.
That's really useful thanks.
Tying the actual shape (domed or not) to the part numbers helps a lot.
I'm fairly sure now that I have a rigid type box and, as Swarfy says it was fitted right up to 53, I'm going to try refitting that first rather than getting involved with importing. It was the gap under it that worried me when I tried fitting it.  Sourcing one in the UK doesn't seem to be an option.
Not really worried about rivet counters, I'm aiming for a nice fairly original rideable bike.
Regards,
Adrian.
'53 Plunger Flash and Steib S500, ‘66 LE Velocette, ‘53? Winged Wheel


Offline Simon59

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #4 on: 30.04. 2019 12:08 »
Hi Adrian

I have the original toolbox off my 1954 plunger A10 if you would like any measurements, photographs, etc. I'll be bolting it back on the bike next month!

Simon
Restored a 1954 plunger framed A10 Golden Flash - now finished!

Offline Greybeard

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #5 on: 30.04. 2019 14:19 »
This is mine, a 1955 machine.
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A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline AdrianJ

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #6 on: 30.04. 2019 16:39 »
Thanks Simon, I'll see what my rigid one looks like when it's back on.
If it looks too small I'll get on of the Indian ones - they don't give dimensions, but i'm sure they'll fit.
I think they are the same shape as Greybeard's.
It looks like mine could have been either style originally in 53, so I hope the rigid style one looks OK.
Not to mention the fact that I've filled and painted it and put the transfer on already before I realised it may not be correct  *smile*.
Regards,
 Adrian
'53 Plunger Flash and Steib S500, ‘66 LE Velocette, ‘53? Winged Wheel


Offline Greybeard

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #7 on: 30.04. 2019 18:28 »
This picture shows the earlier toolbox
Greybeard (Neil)
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A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline Greybeard

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #8 on: 30.04. 2019 18:31 »
A very similar discussion from 2012:

https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=5225.0
Greybeard (Neil)
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A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline AdrianJ

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #9 on: 30.04. 2019 18:47 »
Yes - that's the box I've got.
I think i'll try and fit it anyway.
Sorry - should have checked previous posts.
'53 Plunger Flash and Steib S500, ‘66 LE Velocette, ‘53? Winged Wheel


Offline Simon59

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #10 on: 01.05. 2019 08:36 »
Here's mine, (I hope) looking very shiny after quite a lot of work on it...
Restored a 1954 plunger framed A10 Golden Flash - now finished!

Offline AdrianJ

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #11 on: 01.05. 2019 14:47 »
A very nice job.
This is the box that I have ready to go on.
Adrian
'53 Plunger Flash and Steib S500, ‘66 LE Velocette, ‘53? Winged Wheel


Offline Greybeard

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #12 on: 01.05. 2019 18:44 »
I would have thought someone with an early machine would love to have that box
Greybeard (Neil)
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A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline AdrianJ

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #13 on: 01.05. 2019 18:48 »
If I replace it, I'll make sure someone who wants it gets it.
Adrian
'53 Plunger Flash and Steib S500, ‘66 LE Velocette, ‘53? Winged Wheel


Offline BSA_54A10

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Re: Plunger tool box
« Reply #14 on: 03.05. 2019 02:25 »
This picture shows the earlier toolbox

This is because that is not a photo of a production bike.
It is a preproduction publicity photo hand made for the photo session.
They had to make do with what was available which in this case was a rigid tool box.
You need to go to period publications and even then the bike in the photograph could be a pre production publicity special for loan to the motorcycle press.
Bike Beesa
Trevor