Hi Outlaw,
I seem to remember that my steering linkage was quite rusty when I received it from SV. I had to soak the U joints in penetrating
oil to get the rust out. Then I forced some grease in the hole in the middle of the U joints to free them up.
Maybe you could replace that U joint that's above the header with one of those nice Flaming River or Borgeson ones with the needle bearings in them.
The heat sheilds is a good idea. Which master cylinders are you using?
Sydney