I know of a "well respected" mechanical engineer who puts in the time to make the shaft straight (Not bent) ... heats up the shaft and straightens it out on the lathe .... No weights required
Your right on the balance subject tho :)
The only way a shaft can unbalance itself is under extreme loads where it makes the shaft twist heavily and kinks the pipe further // Examples would be "Burn out Kings" or the towing of heavy caravans
I'm just fussy, and did go "just a little" over board with a "New Shaft"
The only reason i'm suggesting that he gets it balanced is because he could have up to (worst case senario) "8 positions??" to try ... to get it right :( as he lost the original markings
:)

