I'd say normal, but obviously worth checking for burnt cables etc. Stiffness can be checked by disconnecting the gearbox ball joints.

Some people remove the counter weight to reduce inertia in the mechanism. Personally I didn't think it improved the feel at all. I reduced the pre-load on the shift detent by modifying an early IB5 one to fit. That reduces the holding force on the system at back/centre/forward which makes it easier to move.