Hi chri,
in my case I have sketchyphysics version 3.2 and if you will follow this, you should get the same result i.e. two speed controls after you click on play and they aren't connected, you can control speed (only speed, not direction of rotation). I did couple of changes in my file and outer part is rotating differently. Anyway, principle is the same
FullSize: http://pixelarium.cz/cyber/sketchup/SU.Phys.Motors.Tut.jpg
Hope that helped
Cheers!
Check this attachment, new version and working rotation... IMO depends on version of physic probably