'99 RT Throttle body shaft play

Hi,
Just replaced the HES on the 1100Rt with 85k mi., while adj valves, changing filters, fluids etc. I found play in the throttle body shafts while pressing the bellcranks up and back. More on the right then left. Although eager to get ridin' again, considering the Autolite AP3923 plugs came out whitish, not burned but not tan or grey, I have 2 questions: can I put off replacing the shafts or bushings without damaging the engine, and is there a link to a source for the parts I need?
Thanks for any help.

Loose shaft/bushings create an air leak; usually not enough to damage anything by being lean but enough to make a throttle body sync difficult, and the idle erratic.

Parts are available from Bing http://www.bingcarburetor.com/ and Beemer Boneyard http://www.beemerboneyard.com/index.html; there was a comment not long ago that they're also available from overseas (Euromotelectric? http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/).

Anton has a good discussion of the issue: http://www.largiader.com/tech/tb/

Repair kits are also available from Dan Cata in Romania: http://boxer-upgrades.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1850626

Thanks for the replies Pauls1150 and dbrick.
Anton always has great info. I found the Carb Doctor ad in ON. He has kits with the shafts, bushings and seals for less $$ than Bing USA. Dan Cata has a great set of how to photos on advrider for the throttle body repair. The old plugs are a little tan, so I'm gonna see how it runs after I try and sync the TB and ride it till the parts come.
I appreciate the help.

A friend and I replaced the TB shafts using the kits from Dan Cata. We did both TBs in his 1100RS and just the right TB in my 1100RT. The kits go in very easy; the pictures and instructions from Dan are mostly complete. The hardest part was getting the cap off on the right side TB. Best part is the results - they work great. My friend couldn't get his RS to balance, the big brass screws weren't making any change (air sneaking in through the worn shaft). After the kits were installed he could balance TBs easily and with precision. He even got his throttle cables adjusted so he could use the fast idle lever again.