Transmission output shaft question

I recently got a kz1000p7 and I have a question about the neutral balls inside 1st gear. The dike would not go into any other gear but 1st and neutral. I took the bottom case off to inspect the output shaft and shifter drum. All were in really good shape. The only thing I found was that the neutral limit balls inside the 1st gear were not letting the gear move further than neutral. I removed the balls and it shifts perfectly without issue. I haven’t run the engine to try it out yet but my question is:
Will this cause anything adverse to happen? Can I just leave them out? I’m waiting for gaskets and seals so I have about a week. 
Also I noticed the balls were 0.187”.
Shouldn’t they be a metric size? 
Thanks in advance.

You have to turn the output shaft or rear wheel. The centrifugal force during the rotation push the balls into the unlock position and let you shift into the 2nd gear. 

Yes! you can leave them out.
Won't be a problem and i've found it no harder to locate neutral without them.

wrote:

Yes! you can leave them out.
Won't be a problem and i've found it no harder to locate neutral without them.

Thanks for your help guys. I appreciate the input, I didn't want to start it and have catastrophe. 
Any input on the size of the balls that are supposed to be in there?
 

wrote:

wrote:

Yes! you can leave them out.
Won't be a problem and i've found it no harder to locate neutral without them.

Thanks for your help guys. I appreciate the input, I didn't want to start it and have catastrophe. 
Any input on the size of the balls that are supposed to be in there?

 

I've never actually measured them but yours are most likely original.
There's a couple of items in these engines that are imperial.
The needle roller bearings in the earlier motors camchain idler sprockets are for one.