Weird aluminum boxes on the bottom of rear shocks?

[jconway607]

I'm looking at a picture of a R60/7 that shows on the bottom of both rear shocks some sort of aluminum box shape unit. I looks to be about 2" x 3" x 2" high and is rectangular in shape, with fins on the casting. It seems to be the attachment point for the lower shock mount. Then it has a thick rod that goes up into the spring itself. Anyone ever come across such an item? Someone put them on both rear shocks for a reason I suppose. Can anyone tell me what they are supposed to do? It looks like to remove them you would need to completely replace the rear shocks. Thanks.

 

[20774]

I've seen them...the name escapes me now. A picture or link would help identify them.

 

[Darryl Cainey]

I'm looking at a picture of a R60/7 that shows on the bottom of both rear shocks some sort of aluminum box shape unit. I looks to be about 2" x 3" x 2" high and is rectangular in shape, with fins on the casting. It seems to be the attachment point for the lower shock mount. Then it has a thick rod that goes up into the spring itself. Anyone ever come across such an item? Someone put them on both rear shocks for a reason I suppose. Can anyone tell me what they are supposed to do? It looks like to remove them you would need to completely replace the rear shocks. Thanks.

They are called Redwing Shocks.

Let me know if this is what they look like.

Darryl

 

[20774]

Thanks, Darryl...that's what I remembered. What I didn't remember was my own post on the subject!

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?87866-Shock-Manufacturer

Anyway, this may not be the one jconway is seeing...clearly the "box" on the Redwing shock cannot be removed.

 

[jconway607]

Thanks guys, yes, that is exactly what the ones I am seeing are. They must be pretty old by now. I wonder if they are/were an improvement or just a gimmick. I checked the thread that was mentioned and it looks like they were made by Showa. I'll try to find more information on them now that I know what they are. Thanks.

 

[Visian]

I wonder if they are/were an improvement or just a gimmick.

Shock bodies like this were big in the 70s-80s motocross world, the purpose was mainly to increase the volume of oil that a shock could hold and to dissipate heat from the oil. The ones I've seen have much deeper cooling fins than those Darryl has shown. Nowadays, shock bodies are much larger and they're usually configured with an external adjustment apparatus filled with nitrogen, and its purpose is to adjust damping performance to suit riding conditions in all forms of racing and riding.

 

[kinterridge]

They were owned at one time by a Japanese corporation, Marubeni America Corporation, Redwing Group. They still own over 250 companies, I do not see the Redwing Group listed anymore.

 

[kbasa]

I like Red Wing's boots better.

 

[ccolwell]

I believe Red Wing shocks were made by Kayaba (KYB).

 

[pglaves]

That ad says "Marubeni American Corp."