Modern Buddy

I let my brother ride the Buddy yesterday. He said he was good to go without a quick tutorial on instructions, and promptly dumped it in the street right out of the driveway. He is ok and the Buddy is too, mostly, but he cracked the left brake lever. I have read on here and that seems to be a pretty common issue. Also, it doesn't seem difficult to replace. I do have a few questions.

1.) I understand the top of the front of the scooter has to come off to access the brake lever. How does that come off? Are there photos or a video that could help me through that step?

2.) If I buy a replacement brake from Scooterworks or Scooterloungeonline, are the levers for the Buddy painted black when they arrive?

With a little help I've changed both sides without removing any plastics. Only took 5 minutes or so. The oem levers come in black. My dealer has them
in stock for around $10.

I took a real good look and it looks like removing the plastics would be necessary. Is there a trick to doing it without? Is it complicated to remove the plastics?

Replacement levers come in black.

I'm not sure how you'd replace the lever without removing the plastic on the headset; it would be a bit in the way, at least. I've never done it myself, but I've seen it removed a couple times, and it wasn't particularly difficult.

Anything mechanical, including Brake stuff, I am very comfortable with, I am just super limited on electric knowledge so I am worried I would need to disconnect something with the headlight or other electronics, I'd be nervous. It sounds like from most reports that is isn't too terrible.

there is a electric connector under there but you just need to move it out of the way. so leave it connected. the top plastic is held on with 5 screws 4 under it and the chrome bezel around the headlight. " they break easy so just be careful .. also disconnect the spedo cable at the wheel " SO MUCH eiser!

I don't remember what exactly I did but I know I didn't remove the plastic. I've replaced the left level and right control cover where the mirror screws in. Both times I left the plastic on.