Rear wheel bearing replacement problem

Having replaced the rear wheel bearings as per an instructional Post from Swooshdave I am stuck with the problem that the LH speedo drive nut stands proud and the wheel spacer for the axle is far to tight or I should say impossible to fit. I did read in another post that the nut standing proud should pose no problem but I am just stumped, what came apart should go back together again with no problem.
The bearings are of the sealed type from AN the bike is a 73 Roadster.
Answers to this problem greatly requested.

I believe the answer to your problem is - you're just not trying hard enough.

Seriously though, the cush is your problem.
I use a short (18") length of 2" x 1" pine to lever that gap "open"
It pushes the cush deeper and allows the fitment of the spacer in your photo.
Good luck & cheers!

The wheel appears to be VERY crooked in the swingarm and the cush appears notfully engaged. Get the wheel straight and then as rob ss says, lever the wheel over to fully engage the cush and you should be OK assuming you have the bearings fully seated.

Thank you both, your answers put me onto the problem, firstly the brake stopper for the drum wasn't properly engaged in the swinging arm and the wood lever did the trick.
By the way as I had read somewhere the new dished washer for the felt seal just fell out, it had been mentioned they were not hardened so I put the old one back in.

I think most here have scratched their heads when mounting rear wheel first time … my first, no forum to ask , most of my hair gone now ….

i found a useful technique for getting the cush drive paddles fully in is to tighten the axel before installing speedo drive while temporarily replacing the right most spacer with a slightly shorter one that fits easily (or several washers). With the cush drive paddles fully in, the stock spacer should go on with the speedo drive without too much fuss. I prefer this to the wood lever. You certainly do not want to apply any force on the speedo drive. It will distort easily, which can result in several issues you don't want.