5th Gen Newbie with Linked Brakes Problem

Hi guys!

A couple of months ago a picked up a 99 VFR800 pretty cheap. It had aftermarket plastics but came with the originals. After swapping those and going through the general tune procedure, it became quite clear something was wrong with the brakes.

When I got it, it had aftermarket front brake and clutch master cylinders. I think they were probably 14 mm pistons. The clutch was super heavy and abrupt, and the front brake was rock hard and had no stopping power. The rear brake was soft and also had no power.

I swapped the clutch master cylinder for a 6th gen and rebuilt the slave cylinder, now that works great!

I replaced the front brake master with a rebuilt OEM unit. Bled the system as per the procedure (several times now). But the brakes still don't work. My latest ride they were better than they had been before, but not confidence inspiring.

The front feels soft for too long of its travel, it does grab and slow you down pretty good, eventually. But the whole system feels inconsistent, If I only use the front brake it usually feels ok (but not great). If I use front and back I can feel the lever get softer as it sends fluid to the rear. Which feels super weird and unpleasant.

Is that just how the linked brakes are?

Thanks for any insight!

1st pic is when I picked it up, 2nd is now.