Finally decided to tear into my bike today after it finally started to sound like a hammer was pounding my bottom end. Turns out the crankshaft balancer completely wore through the bearings and started to eat into the case as well. I would buy new bearings and just put it back together, but the case has been worn to the point that it has horizontal slop (1/8 inch of play). So my question is, will this engine still run if the balancer is removed? Has it been done before? How long did the modified engine last? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Louis

Bob broussard has done it on his race bike.
It needs to be re-balanced and evidently it spins up very very quick, but vibrates like crazy except in the narrow rpm range its supposed to run in. If I you specify the rpm, say 7k and in that area it actually is quire smooth.
Look for posts on it - may be not here anymore.
Cool.
Buddha.

Found a post where he talks about it a little. It's a shame that it cant just be taken out, but I guess they put it in there for a reason. I think I'm just going to buy a like new CB and new bearings off of Ebay and put the badboy back together. Probably just going to put a spacer on the end of the new CB. What a headache.

No - these have to have bearings made. Not available in over sizes.
Don't bother.
Cool.
Buddha.