Bug hit it on the head. You're not the first to dismiss him so lightly.

A super easy way to check the balancer: pull the sparkplug on # 1 cylinder, and put the motor on zero on the mark. Put a screwdriver in the hole and feel for the piston top. Rock the motorback and forth, and feel the piston. It's pretty easy to figure out where the piston is at top dead center (tdc) when you get te piston at tdc look to see if the mark on the balancer lines up.

Since you aren't going to buy tools, and aren't building a top dollar motor, just put a wrench on the crank and turn it. It's only worked for me for about 20 years.

Now, go back and look at what tech said, and see if you can use the wisdom he shared.