reasonable question but yep, they were definitely slackened off.

good news though! finally got the front paddock stand back, i flipped the the spacers around originally and gave it a bash with the persuader and the axle is sitting flush the brakes are much better but its still dragging slightly more than they should be but not much more than a bike thats been parked up if you get me, hopefully its just down to needing a bit of use. really not sure as to why they could be dragging like they are, although a couple of seals still need done all the seal areas were cleaned thouroghly and the pistons machine polished, pins weren't grooved and they were polished as well so there shouldn't be any reason for them to stick. maybe it just needs bled in again, who knows. not too worried about it now that the axle is sitting as it should.

thanks for the input guys! issue resolved.