Hi Grumpy_Mike,
Thanks for your reply.
Yes, it's a ceramic capacitor, and it's attached right at the leads of the motor, as close as I could make it.
I'll try your 100uF cap suggestion when I have a chance to get out and get some more capacitors. I only have Radio Shack as a local source of components, so I don't know how lucky I'll get there.
I'm planning to solder as soon as I can get it to work. 
And I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks.
Don