Mainshaft shock absorber

[PaulG]

I am rebuilding a 1939 VG 500 ohv.
I had the engine rebuilt by someone else over 10 years ago.
I am finally putting the bike together and have come across an anomaly with regards to the mainshaft and the spare parts book.
The bike was bought incomplete so there may be some parts not original.
The spare parts book shows a locknut washed with a straight edge to go on before the mainshafg nut. The trouble is, my mainshaft is completely round and the straigbt edge locknut won’t go on it.
Attaching pictures if it helps.

[simon.holyfield]

That style of washer is designed to go between the two nuts. Put the first nut on and tighten it up and then put the lock washer on followed by the second nut. The ears of the lock washer bend alternately over the flats of the two nuts.

[Roger Gwynn]

It may be the angle of the photo but it appears that there is a flat on the shaft at 7 o'clock.

[paul.jameson]

Take the primary chain and sprockets back off, followed by the primary chaincase inner. Then fit the footrest support which goes through that large hole in the chaincase. You might want to think about a repair to the chaincase hole first, where the primary chain has worn it away on its lower side.

It is worth checking that you have the distance tube in place which goes over the footrest bolt between the rear engine plates. It is all too easy to omit, the consequences being bent rear engine plates and footrests which won't stay in place.

[PaulG]

Thanks for the replies.
Simon - Noted on the locknut washer. Interestingly the book makes it look like the locknut washer goes on before the 2 nuts, but between and alternating the tines makes more sense.
Roger - I am a blind idiot! there is a flat at 7.
Paul - Noted on the footrest support. I don't have everything fixed on as I am waiting on delivery of the footrest bolt and spacer. I only have one footrest support so need to source another (there are plenty on eBay but they seem overpriced for what they are so I am looking to pick up a used one before inevitably going back to eBay to pay). Also noted on the worn chaincase hole. Not sure how they are repaired and open to hearing if you know.
To anyone - when fitting the plate and nuts on the spring, how do you compress the spring in enough to get the nuts on?

[nevhunter]

Usually repaired by good TIG welding Pre heat and cool slowly. That Mainshaft is a bit "How's ya father"? Don't those short ones have a grease nipple at the end? That may be only for the "TIN " Covered ones? With the spring, compress it in a vice and put two Solid clips on it one each side and be careful. Nev

[PaulG]

Thanks nevhunter. Got it, vice compress, clip and take out an eye.

[nevhunter]

You can wrap a lot of wire around and cut and remove it Later if you wish. Just be careful. Springs do not get tired. Nev

[Pete.Silson]

To anyone - when fitting the plate and nuts on the spring, how do you compress the spring in enough to get the nuts on?

I tried many ways of compressing the spring however I finally got round to making a bespoke compressor.

This has a big advantage in that I can assemble the whole thing on the bench and simply slide it in place. This allows the nuts to be threaded on with no load on them and no risk of escapee spring flying about.

[dennis.t]

Nice!
And much safer than tie wraps or wire