Originally Posted by tallbikeman

Wonder Monkey if you haven't done much bicycle maintenance before then the Sheldon Brown website is a good resource for information on maintenance practices and tools needed for just about everything done to bicycles. If you live in an area that has a community bicycle maintenance shop where everyone and anyone can go to work on their bikes, that is a great resource. During Covid most of these types of facility's are shut down. Check them out when they get going again. Your brake issues are pretty common and can be anything from weak old return springs, broken return springs, too much dirt and grime at the pivot points, brake cables and housings and of course the brake handles themselves. If you take apart your brakes be sure to put them back together in the reverse order you took them apart. Lots of brakes actually use nylon bits and pieces for bearings and washers so grease does not help them. But a general cleaning of the parts will help. I find that cable and outer housing issues seem to be the source of most of my brake issues. Good luck with your new hobby.