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I've just had the frame, swing arm, stands etc powder coated (and beautiful they look too!) and have started the rebuild.
The first thing I'm fitting is the swing arm and I am seriously struggling to get it through the second bush so that I can screw it into place. I'm probably being really thick but I can't see what's stopping it.
I've got the two guide plates in place, put the shim/washer between swing-arm and frame inserted the spindle about 3/4 through and then cannot get it into the bush. I've wiggled spindle/ swing-arm/ shim all over the place but despite some persuasion with a rubber mallet it ain't going through.

Any suggestions very gratefully received!

I have had the same problem with my Camel.
I don't know about the machine you have but, my new bushes were from NLM and I had to ream them to get the spindle in. First off are they bronze or plastic?
If plastic then has the powder coating entered the swinging arm tube, if so the bush maybe being pressured by the coating, so clean out the tube and try again. If they are bronze the you may need to ream them to fit.
This may not help, but it's what I have done. I am sure some one else has had this problem in the past.
Good luck.

Thanks for your suggestions. The bushes are the originals as they hadn't suffered any obvious wear - so I can only think that it may have a bit of the plastic coating caught up that I didn't clean out - will try again. But if I'm honest, the "persuasion" I've been giving it with the rubber mallet should have cleared that out of the way, so I'm not over confident i'll see any diference. Worth a try though!

Well I'm the same as you, I thought that I could drive it through until I had a word with engineering company next to where the Camel is and they suggested the reamer and clearing the tube.
I use a large persuader, in fact so large it didn't come from B'ham. Only joking.

I should beware getting a burr on the spindle where its hitting that troublesome bush.As you say you would expect it to go in without protest.How can be misaligned?

3potjohn wrote:I should beware getting a burr on the spindle where its hitting that troublesome bush.As you say you would expect it to go in without protest.How can be misaligned?

Really not sure what's happening - given that its the same spindle that came out from the same bush. I was reluctant to take it apart again as getting the shim in was a bit of a fiddle, but I've now taken the spindle out and put it in the freezer - going to see if (like wheel bearings) that makes a tight fit any easier. Will find out tonight!

Ok - problem solved. And I win this year's dumber than dumb award.

When I removed the spindle completely this evening I realised that I had positioned the washer/shim on the inner side of the bush between frame and swing arm not on the outer side. The shoulder on the spindle wouldn't allow it through. Should have taken more reference pictures when I stripped before Christmas - my long term memory is only good for about two days!

Thanks for the advice .

Glad it was easily sorted. I had a similar moment earlier in the week on a different bike.Had to remove and replace an engine mounting stud only to discover I'd left 2 spacers out after torquing it all up.