Changed out the hose and put grease on the dry slides. Took an opportunity to re-pack the wheel bearings, put some grease in the upper ball joint and put it back together. Topped off the fluid after letting gravity get the air out of the new hose. It feels good and doesn't appear to be locking up anymore. So was it the slides or the hose? I guess I'll never know.
A couple of weeks ago I pumped grease into the bell cranks and everywhere else I could. It really feels good on the road now. Next trip out is this coming Friday. Only 100 miles each way but that's enough in this old thing!