Received the tandem (2001 Burley Rumba) yesterday at work via DHL. It only took them three business days to get it here from FL! It was fun dragging it into my office and putting it together. I was going to ride it home in rush hour traffic by myself, getting what would certainly be fun looks from the passersby, but the better half came with the car and we threw it on the trunk rack (minus wheels of course).

It's a lovely bike, but there's something that's confusing me greatly about the "spacers" on the threaded/drum brake (though we don't have a drum brake) side of the hub. There's the cone, then a washer, then a LOCKNUT, then four more washers/spacers, then ANOTHER LOCKNUT. See the photo below.

I'd like to replace this motley crew with just the cone, one or two big spacers, and the one locknut. It's always been my understanding that there's only supposed to be one locknut on either side of the axle, and it should be the outermost thing. The only thing between the cone and the locknut on either side should be washers/spacers. Right? Is there something about tandems that I'm missing here? If not, is it dangerous to have this double-locknut setup, or will it make no difference?

Thanks for any help you can provide!