1) New brushes break in fairly quickly, many just use a practice run. Just make sure the wires going to the brushes are free, don’t touch the can or inhibit brush movement.
2) An occasional drop of oil in each bearing at each end of the shaft.
3) Yep, regular maintenance includes new brushes and a recut commutator. Takes a comm lathe, ask around at your shop or track, usually can get some one to do it for a few bucks, best to have someone show you how to do it. With brushless there are many used lathes available cheap.
Last edited by Dave H; 02-09-2009 at 12:31 PM.