Swapping front brake lever/master cylinder

Recently did a trip to the alps... (had to get that in there)... part way around just before going up to Stelvio pass my front brake felt weak... which is just what you want. I thought it was just that the break fluid hadn't been changed in awhile and the heat was causing the air trapped in the fluid to expand creating a spongy feel. Anyway I was wrong I need a master cylinder repair kit but the fluid was sewage green so when replaced that helped.

2 questions:

1. I have a naked '03 SV650, I prefer the look of the faired front brake arrangement with the clear pot for the brake fluid rather than the black plastic one with the window. Since I need to play with brakes I'd like to swap mine for this. Is it a straight swap?
2. I want some red anodised levers but I'm afraid of buying cheap ebay ones but I'm also afraid of the price of some of the expensive ones. Can anyone recommend a resonable annodised lever they have experience with?

Thanks in advance!

I'll post some alps pics up in the relevant section later, also got some video so I'll post that up at some point once its been edited.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Shaky

I have a naked '03 SV650, I prefer the look of the faired front brake arrangement with the clear pot for the brake fluid rather than the black plastic one with the window. Since I need to play with brakes I'd like to swap mine for this. Is it a straight swap?

Mostly, yes. Hydraulically it's identical, but you won't have anywhere to mount the reservoir as the bolt it fixes to on the faired bike is on the clip on, so you'll need to arrange somewhere for the bracket to go. I have seen the original bracket mounted to the upper bolt of the master cylinder handlebar clamp, but that twists the reservoir hose and can make it kink.

Originally Posted by Shaky

I want some red anodised levers but I'm afraid of buying cheap ebay ones but I'm also afraid of the price of some of the expensive ones. Can anyone recommend a resonable annodised lever they have experience with?

Most of the cheapy eBay ones are fine, some are terrible. That said I haven't seen any poor ones of late, but if you want guaranteed fit and function you'll need to buy a known brand - and they're expensive.

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

Mostly, yes. Hydraulically it's identical, but you won't have anywhere to mount the reservoir as the bolt it fixes to on the faired bike is on the clip on, so you'll need to arrange somewhere for the bracket to go. I have seen the original bracket mounted to the upper bolt of the master cylinder handlebar clamp, but that twists the reservoir hose and can make it kink.

Most of the cheapy eBay ones are fine, some are terrible. That said I haven't seen any poor ones of late, but if you want guaranteed fit and function you'll need to buy a known brand - and they're expensive.

Thanks for the reply Sid, appreciate it. I was hoping someone would say 'I have these levers from ebay and they're good' but I'll just have to bite the bullet I guess.

My mate has the faired SV so I'll check out his bracket and decide if I think it's worth the effort to change over.