Balancer shaft query

[Westcraigs]

I'm in the process of getting the "easy to remove" fixings on my GSX1400, which were originally bight zinc plated and have since long lost their lustre, replated in bright nickel.

Three parts I'm not sure about removing, are the pinch bolt, securing bolt and clamp which is at the end of the balancer shaft located at the nearside front of the engine (see photo).



As long as the engine is NOT turned over in any way whilst these three items are removed for plating, I assume the shaft will be secure and thus won't then turn from its current position. If I also punch a couple of dots into the clamp to align with the slot on the end of the shaft to ensure positioning on the splines is maintained after replating is done, is this okay to do or is this something risky to mess around with (in other words don't do it!) please?

Thanking someone with GSX1400 engine internals experience in anticpation of a reply.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

I must have missed your intro at the bar.

Should not be an issue as long as you do as you say, mark the original install position.

I have seen a video of these being adjusted when the engine is running. The shaft sits in an eccentric collar, a screwdriver in the slotted end allows you to turn it.

[Mick_J]

I would say you will be safe to take it off and replate as long as the bike is not run and you put it back together as it was, either pictures or punch marks.  I would undo the captive bolt first so if the shaft does move you will tell which direction it went, undoing the pinch bolt first you might miss the direction of rotation.

[grog]

Mine doesnt vibrate, won't be touching it. Cant see a prob taking those bits off, put back as marked, pen or punch.

[Hooli]

Pretty sure the way to set it up is in the workshop manual if you lost it's position.

Having said that, I agree with the others that if you mark it & put it back the same I can't see an issue.

[BanditsHigh]

Agree with what everyone has said above, don't see there being an issue if you mark and replace exactly the same (I'd mark where the slot is).

I'm not an engine guru, but to me the worst that can happen is you get some extra vibes.

You could of course leave it in situ, give it a quick wire brush and then a quick coat of spray paint (masking around to prevent overspray).

All the best ... Barry

P.S. Wish that's all I had to do, two engines out, one engine swapped, one engine to dismantle and fix (if possible).

[Westcraigs]

Thanks everyone for the replies and yes I'll proceed with it once the bike is off road for the winter.   

[hard road]

Thanks everyone for the replies and yes I'll proceed with it once the bike is off road for the winter.   

as everyone has said just mark the position of the slot in the shaft, the balance shaft is gear driven off the crank so can't go any where.