alright, so i set the brake up and rode around for a bit. it works, but not all that well. when you start pulling on it with a brake at the other end, the rubber oury squishes and flexes around, thus moving the lever with it. this is definitely inhibiting some of the stopping power of the brake.
i kind of understated it a bit earlier, but the clamp is a lot bigger than the handlebar, like 4mm in all directions. i don't think metal shims will cut it, i might have to take it back and find something smaller.