Ebay Brake Master Cylinder - a WTF story

[Jarvicious]

So, thinking about upgrading to a set of clipons I've also been looking at new brake/clutch master cylinders and levers.  Rolling around ebay I managed to find quite a few items for sale, but in this case all look to be the same make/model, but are being sold by different sellers, all out of Thailand.  One goes for $15, one for $18, and one for a benjamin.  They're all the same brand (recognize the "C", just don't know who makes it). 

All the feedback seems to be pretty decent, but I'm curious as to why the same part can be sold for 15 bucks as well as for a hundred and if anyone knows anything about these particular parts.  Cheap materials aside, it's pretty hard to mess up a master cyclinder (they're so damn simple) but at the same time, that's not a part of my bike I want so skimp on. 

Thoughts?  Hell, this may be a Thai chop shop ring I need to get in on.  Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to consolidate the http links.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories___Monster-999-S4-Race-16x18Master-Cylinder-Oil-Cup-Lever_W0QQitemZ320303648718QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320303648718&_trkparms=72%3A543%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories___Monster-CBR-19-20-Radial-Master-Cylinder-Oil-Cup-GSX-R_W0QQitemZ250301608029QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250301608029&_trkparms=72%3A543%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Monster-CBR-16x18-Radial-Master-Cylinder-Oil-Cup-Lever_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c39Q3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem270280021625QQitemZ270280021625

[Capo]

That "C" is the Brembo trademark. These appear to be counterfeit . Buy them at your peril.

[stopintime]

I wouldn't come anywhere close to those products, maybe for a bling part, but this is about your life. DO NOT SAVE ON BRAKES

[crash_duc]

That "C" is the Brembo trademark. These appear to be counterfeit . Buy them at your peril.

Not appearance only. They ARE counterfeit Brembo. I wouldn't take a chance on it. A CF sprocket cover? Sure. Brakes? No way.

[Howley]

The store for the last one also has fake brake calipers and brembo covers for car brakes, maybe it isn't even real.

[mmakay]

The "c" s actually a stylized "b" (for brembo) in a circle. 

[Jarvicious]

Well, that would certainly explain why I recognized it.  For a bit i was almost tempted to order the really cheap ($15) set just out of curiosity.  Anyone know where Brembo is made? 

[OverCaffeinated]

I bought 6 of them, two to replace my oem controls and four to decorate the trelis frame.

[cbartlett419]

I bought one of those planning to put it on my monster but after inspecting it decided I'll throw it on the mini. The housing is cast instead of the machined unit from brembo, it does not have a brake light switch either.

[gecko]

I bought a few units too.. however, they weren't always 15 bucks each. I think I paid closer to 50 - 60 bucks then. They were obviously fake when I received them, so I returned them. I threatened a police report, a paypal report and an ebay report if the seller didn't accept the returns. Unfortunately, the bloody Thai customs taxed me for sending the bloody thing back (since the seller wasn't gonna pay) so I ended up paying the charge including my courier costs! I got my money back, but not all of it considering the taxes and courier charges I had to pay for.

Lesson learnt!

[Speeddog]

One of those cases where what seems an unbelievable deal really is.... unbelievable.

Sorry you guys took the bullets. 

[squidwood]

yup ........unbelievable. Kinda like John Mc Cain.   
Hey this was meant as a joke, don't kick me off the board chastise me or send me hateful mail.

[Jarvicious]

Thanks for the input folks.  My sense finally got the better part of me and I decided not to go forth.  I'm a real cheapskate at heart the the red flags were far too plentiful.  Does anyone have any suggestions on a decent set of aftermarket stoppers??  I'm just looking for the master cylinder for now.

[Speeddog]

You can get the real thing at yoyodyneti.com.

[A.duc.H.duc.]

You can get the real thing at yoyodyneti.com.

yoyodyn really does a good job, I'd highly recommend them for components like this.