Thanks everyone for your offers of assistance, suggestions, and comments.
I pulled the blade off the saw this morning and despite the operators manual stating there was nothing to service on this motor, I found a screw to allow oiling the arbor end bearing. After much fuss, I managed to find the right socket (hex screw with a slot that is difficult to access with the motor in place), oiled the front bearing, and reassembled.
After some testing, and a lot of searching (including with my bore scope camera, I did not find evidence of any easily accessible rear bearing oil port.
I started and stopped the saw about a dozen times, and as the oil worked its way through the bearing, things started operating in a more normal manner (insert dramatic music score here). Blade spun up much faster and kept spinning longer after power was removed.
Put the blade back on, readjusted for the dados I was cutting and was just about ready to cut the last one when I got interrupted. I went back and cut the last dado. I guess I had gotten so used to the blade stopping as if it had a magnetic brake installed (it doesn't), that I reached under to feel how hot the motor had gotten.
Nicked my right index finger. Did I mention that that was a new rip saw blade? Well, long story short, a quick trip to the doc in a box (they had no openings for today) and then to the ER to get my finger looked at. The PA's impression was "minor laceration", but cleaned and glued all the flaps back in place. An adhesive bandage for the next few days should help keep all the inside stuff inside.
So, my project is on hold for a few days while finger heals up. A new saw is still in the works, but without any great urgency ... allowing me ample time to review all of my options (and some of the options include a minor modification to the shop layout to allow a slightly larger table and working area).
I certainly didn't plan on spending all afternoon out of the shop, but it could have been far worse.
Regards,
Rick