Remus Exhaust and Tail Tidy

Now that the suspension is sorted, I wanted to take care of some cosmetic and sound changes. While the standard pea shooter exhausts are classic and sound pretty good stock, I wanted to change it with something that had a slightly deeper tone and upswept so I can clear the axles to install some Motone Axlerod bobbins later.

For the exhaust I opted for a Remus slip-on muffler setup from Austria. I'm not really looking for a performance gain here since I'm more than happy with the factory power output so this was just a cosmetic and auditory enhancement. Since I don't anticipate having any passengers I also took the opportunity to delete the passenger foot begs for a cleaner look since they had to be removed to install the new mufflers anyway.

Remus exahust installed

Remus exahust installed

Next up were some lighting enhancements. I removed the giant rear fender and light assembly with a British Customs tail tidy with cateye brake light. For the turn signals, I went with Brogue Motorcyles classic LED turn signals in the rear which I soldered to a A&J Cycles plug-n-play wiring kit and mounted using their shock mounted brackets. For the front I went with the same Brogue Motorcycles classic LED kit but they offer one that had the correct plug-n-play connectors for the 2026 T120 model. Since the LEDs offer less resistance than the factory halogens they flash too quickly. Thankfully Triumph already solved this problem and you can reconfigure the lights using the cluster to take into account LED lighting but setting it to mode 2. 

Briths customs tail tidy with cateye brake light

Tail tidy and rear shock-mounted turn signals installed

Front turn signals installed

Another thing that I wasn't too happy about were the factory levers. I felt they had too much play in them and were also unequal looking left and right. I replaced them with some much nicer fully adjustable Motone black aluminum clutch and brake levers and not only do they look great but they feel perfect too with no excessive play. For added decoration, I replaced the factory plastic brake reservoir cover with an aluminum Triumph logo one. 

Motone black brake lever

Motone black clutch lever

Finally, I replaced the silver clutch over plate with a black Triumph Motorcycles one to give it an even more blacked out look and also replaced the clutch guide with a Triumph black aluminum one.

Black Triumph Motorcyles clutch cover

I even got my new Triumph gloves which are super comfortable and look pretty good.

New Triumph gloves

Maintenace Update: 

Mileage: 241 miles

- British Customs Tail Tidy

- Brogue Motorcycles Class Extreme turn signals front and rear (shock mounted)

- Remus slip-on exhaust

- Motone black aluminum brake and clutch levers

- Triumph aluminum brake reservoir cover

- Triumph Motorcycles black clutch cover plate

- Triumph black aluminum clutch cable guide

- Rear footpeg delete

Suspension and OEM+ Upgrades for Bonnie

The T120 comes with a decent KYB suspension setup from factory but why settle when you have plenty of options. Specifically, Triumph has an OEM upgrade made by Fox Shocks that just made too much sense not to pursue. Not only are these better dampers but they include an external reservoir and have compression adjustability.

Fox Performance Rear Suspension

Compression adjustment knob

The installation itself was pretty straightforward since I had the dealership install the factory center stand. Each side is just held by two bolts. In order for the new bolts to install properly, it's important to get the threads clean off any loctite so that they can be torqued properly. The threads are M8 x 1.25 so I used a tap and die kit to clean off the threads before installing. I set the compression to the recommend 18 clicks from full stiff (10 clicks is Sport and 23 is Comfort)

Original OEM suspension

Cleaning off the threads

Rear suspension installed

Rear suspension installed

For the front suspension, I installed TEC Progressive fork sprinks. This should make the ride more compliant on small bumps but stiffer under braking.

Handlebar set aside to get to fork cap nuts

New progressive spring next to left OEM spring

I wanted to add some engine protection in case I ever drop the bike so I installe the Triumph engine bottom guards.

Engine protector

Engine protector

I also wanted to add some protection to the radiator so I added a Monotone union jack radiator guard.

Motone Radiator Guard

The weak horn was also another item I wanted changed. I wanted to make sure I'd be heard if I honk the horn so I replaced it with a Denali Soundbomb Mini Horn in its place. The sound is now loud and deep. It's basically a car horn now.

Denali Soundbomb Mini Horn

Finally I added a helmet hook on the right side so I can secure the helmet if needed and replaced the seat with a Motone Rattler cafe racer style black seat. I loved the contrasting brown seat but unfortunately they don't make it in brown.

Helmet hook

Motone Rattler Seat

Motone Rattler Seat

I have to say I think it all came together nicely and it's getting closer to what my vision for the bike should be.

Everything done on center stand

Back down on the side stand

Maintenace Update:

Mileage: 113 miles

- TEC progressive front fork springs

- Fox Performance rear shocks and springs

- Brogue Helmet Hook

- Motone radiator guard

- Motone Rattler seat

- Triump lower engine guards

- Denali Soundbomb Mini horn

- Triumph tank pad

Fixing the Automatic Climate Control in Mando

One of the things that wasn't working on Mando was the automatic climate control. Yes, the heat and AC work bot only when manually set. The sensor for the automatic climate control is located the overhead console where the map lights are. Unfortunately you can't just buy a new sensor and finding a new overhead console is next to impossible. I took my out to get the part number and starting searching Ebay. The first part of the part number indicates what modules are enabled. Since I have the C55 AMG, I had pretty much everything imaginable including the SOS button so I can't just buy any W203 overhead console without also maybe decativating features it doesn't support so it doesn't throw an error. The last part of the part number after the slash is a color code.

I was able to find a used overhead console on Ebay with the exact part number I needed but with a slighly different shade of gray. It was cheap enough at under $100 so I figured it was worth a try. I was able to swap it in and sure enough, the automatic AC started working again. While it was out, I also switched the front and rear dome lights to LED.

Great condition used overhead console

Original console (left) vs Replacement console (right)

Maintenance Update:

Mileage: 79,722

- Replaced overhead center console

NJMP with S2K Takeover

Due to all sorts of scheduling issues, my first track day of 2026 ended up being in July. I ran at both NJMP Lightning and Thunderbolt with S2K Takeover alongside EMRA. 

Starting the day in the wet

It had been raining quite a bit during the morning but thankfully it dried out by the time we got on track. During the first session, I felt something on the car but wasn't sure what it was. Turns out the front sway bar arm that had fallen off on my way to NYST year fell off again, this time completely. I was obviously not going to attempt to reinstall it and have it fall off a 3rd time so I disconnected one of the endlinks from the rear sway bar to have some semblance of balance. I'm going to replace this with a brand new sway bar, this time not as big as the oversized one I had from the car's BSP days.

Front sway bar arm that decided to peace out

This year I made some massive changes to the car over the winter. We put in MCS 2-way adjustables with 850/750 springs, I added an AP Racing BBK with Carbotech XP10 pads, I switched to the new Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RZ 255/40/17 all aruond on new Volk Racing 17x10 wheels and I replaced my PasswordJDM intake with a J's Racing intake. Surprisingly, even with no sway bars, the car handled exceptionally well. I was a bit tepid during the first sessions to feel out the balance but once I gained confidence I was able to put in good lap times. The smaller snorkel of the J's Racing intake also allowed more air to make it to the radiator allowing my engine to run cooler or rather, to cool down more quickly after a hard run. I ran ok times at NJMP Lightning but not faster than last year. The tires hadn't achieved full grip yet and the same was true for my new brakes so I wasn't able to push as hard as I wanted. 

NJMP Lightning - 1:21.26

On day 2 we were on NJMP Thunderbolt. The torrential downpour we had the night before made the day much cooler than the day before and we were blessed with sun throughout the day. I was able to push hard this time and despite not having any sway bars, I was able to set a new personal best, beating my time from last year by 1.5 seconds. 

NJMP Thunderbolt

NJMP Thunderbolt - 1:35.23

Back On 2 Wheels

I've been having the itch to enjoy open road riding again but didn't want a sport bike. I wanted something I could just cruise around in and take my thoughts away from the busy day to day. I spend the past few weeks researching motorcycles incessantly and after a few visits to dealers, decided that the 2026 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black is the bike for me. 

I love it's classic styling but modern safety additions like lean-aware ABS and Traction Control. I also like the relaxed riding position while offering excellent ergonomics and performance. At 1200cc, it's significanly more powerful than my first bike, a Suzuki GS500F but the power delivery and transmission are so smooth it's an easy bike to ride. 

Pickup day - Locomotion Powersports

While I'm definitely excited to be on a bike again, it's been over 15 years since I last rode so it's going to take some time to regain all the skills and reflexes I had built long ago. I was a bit anxious on my first ride home but once it started to come back to me, I was able to relax and enjoy it. 

I love an analog cluster

Finally home

Of course, it wouldn't be a Steguis Motorsports vehicle without being modded at least somewhat and I didn't waste time here either. I put on Triumph bar end mirrors both for looks and practicality as the Mickey Mouse standard side mirrors faced my shoulders and gave me poor rear visibility. The bar mirrors are perfectly located and I have clear rear vision through them. I also added a Quadlock mount with wireless charging which works great since the bike has a USB-C outlet right by the gauge cluster. Then of course the requisite quick connects for my C-tek charger so I can trickle charge the bike as needed. Finally, I also bought a great condition but used factory rear grab handle to make it easier to pull the bike up onto the center stand. From the dealership, I also had them install the center stand and engine bar protectors just in case I ever drop the bike. 

Bar end mirrors and quad lock installed

Installing the rear grab handle

Rear grab handle installed

 I got the bike inspected at Action Cycle Performance Center in Spring Valley and took it for a nice long 100 mile ride to really get to know her. Pretty obvious, but her name is "Bonnie".

Maintence Update:

Mileage: 9

- None. Pickup from dealership - Locomotion Powersports in Mahwah, NJ

New Wipe Blades

The wiper blades on the Jeep were starting to be a bit streaky so trying out a new set of Rain-X 810357 Repellency wiper blades in a part of 15" size.

Maintenace Update:

Mileage: 85,611 miles

- New pair of 15" Rain-X 810357 Repellency wiper blades 

New MB Key

My C55 only came with one key and I hate that because you never know when you need a spare. I went to the Mercedes Dealership to acquire a new one. They need proof of ownership, copies your ID and you have to bring the actual vehicle there so they can verify both the fob and the laser cut physical key works. The key took about 3 days to make and they no longer make the all black version, instead the new ones have the shiny silver sides. It worked perfectly with no additional coding to the car needed (no wonder they're so careful about creating and issuing these).

2nd Key