Got some good info on those shims.  It turns out that the notched open
v-shaped thing at the bottom of the brake is not threaded.  Those
notched things pull out and the shims go beneath them.  I was able to
get one off but the others would not budge.  I'm soaking everything in
PB Blaster and I'll see how things are in the morning.

Thanks to all who provided input on this topic.

Warren
88 Westy "Billy Bones"