1932 Harley Davidson VL Restoration: Day 4

While waiting on parts for my forks, I decided to assemble the rear wheel. I reinstalled new components into the rear wheel hub as well as the rear brake hub assembly...bearings, washers, felt dust gaskets, etc. On the brake side, I installed new shoes, brake springs and a new brake operating stud. I had a brake operating lever from an early bike, so now I'm trying to score the proper lever.

Everything seemed to go together fairly well. I had to sand some of the paint off the frame where the axle went through and where the brake hub retainer stud inserted into the frame. The axle went through a small spacer, corbin speedometer gear and through the wheel hub and brake hubs. I installed the brake hub spacer and nut and then the locking washer and axle nut with alemite grease fitting.

I'm asking some experts regarding torque specs, wheel play tolerances, alignment,etc. The wheel turns by hand, but drags heavily on the new brake shoes. I also wonder about alignment. It seems a bit shifted to the right, but it doesn't rub anywhere and the wheel doesn't wobble.

At this point, I am considering this a mock up. I have to get the hub nuts, axle, and some other parts plated as well as the wheels relaced with cheater cadmium, media blasted stainless spokes.

Here are the finished pics.