weird marin rear suspension thingamabob

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i picked up a 2001? european model Marin Redwoods hybrid (not the american model with the same name) that has a very unusual rear suspension. i've taken it to 2 lbs's and nobody has ever seen one like it before. i don't have a photo, so i'll have to rely on my limited powers of description. it consists of a fully-enclosed barrel-shaped doohicky welded onto the top tube and attached to the back forks. it's about 3 inches side-to-side and about 2 inches in diameter. there is no spring or shock visible. it seems to absorb shock by shifting forward on 2 pivots on each side of the barrel. one side of the barrel has an allen wrench slot which i assume is for adjustment. i would take it apart & investigate but i'm afraid springs & misc. parts would come exploding out of it like a swiss watch. i know it's not much to go on, but can anybody tell me what type of device this is, what the hell's inside of there, and, especially, whether it needs maintenance or adjustment? Thanks.

I'm sure you've thought of this...but try sending the UK distributors an email with your question. Here's the website and email:

http://www.marin.co.uk

info@atb-sales.co.uk

thanks for responding! yes, i did email them about a month ago, but haven't received a reply. i even picked a few uk marin dealers at random & emailed them -- one responded, but even they weren't familiar with the contraption. maybe it was only sold in liechtenstein or something...

Does it look like this - <http://www.bullteksports.com/catalog/pictures/Castellano/Frames.htm> ?

If so then take it to a good shop. They can most likely work on that, Many companies use that setup.

i'm afraid that's not quite it. this is actually mounted transversely
rather than vertically the way that picture looks and it's welded onto the top tube in FRONT of the seat tube. it's got an exposed metal body with black plastic-looking caps on each side where it pivots.

Hey, I just happened into a picture of the same model on ebay.
Here's what this puppy looks like -- hope it helps...