you can bend the brake linkage whichever way you want...mine is bent outwards and it makes it easier to pull the motor without having to undo the brake linkage at the brake arm...just try to keep it as straight as possible so it doesn't deflect too much when using the brakes...
Hey in that pic of your motor...is that spring attached to your carb slide? a decent rubber band will do the trick...that spring might be a little much for the throttle servo...