The spring and sleeve are there in the proper location in the photo. Is this the choke rod set you used or one like it?
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The leather washer and steel cupped washer should allow for some miss alignment the only real place it could be binding maybe is at the support under the gas tank if the grommet is not fully seated. There should be some binding at the gas tank support to prevent the rod from turning by itself from vibration. Maybe post a photo of how it is now not before, with that accelerator return spring out of the way.