Curvy front master cylinder service?

I would be more likely to think that it is a sticky caliper that is making the master cylinder feel lumpy.If it moves freely when disconnected and the internal rubbers are good look elsewhere

As i said the rubber on the cyclinder by the lever is all perished and broken up and it is definately the lever end which is sticky/knotchy but i will inspect the calipers when i do the work

I reckon Dicky's correct with this. I done the same as you're planning only to have to completely service the calipers. A perished boot is a perished boot. It's pretty much a dust seal.

If you know how it'd make sense to take off the calipers and check the pistons are moving nicely.

P.S. The circlip pliers should be fine.

Question, do all circlips have the same size holes for the tools no matter their size?

Question, do all circlips have the same size holes regardless of their size?

No. They will be fairly proportional. You couldn't have a mahoosive circlip with tiny little holes nor a tiny circlip with mmahoosive holes. They just wouldn't work.

Oh &%*$£, the plier i have just got dnt fit the circlip in the new clip, the ed of the pliers are too big, will have to return and get a smaller pair from Halfords or summit, unless someone has some kicking around i could get by the weekend?