Odd. The instructions were very clear on the risk of x-treading the bolt, but I unbolted the two forward tank bolts and everything went into place without a problem. Why did you need a spacer in that location?
I've been told that all "bolt on" installs need to be modified to get 'em to fit. I needed to remove some of the forward edge of the rear most plate to avoid overlapping. I also had to add washers to the last plate in the exhaust cross over point area, my exhaust was hanging a little too low.

------------------