Cylinder O-ring replacement

[snyderman]

I am rebuilding the top end of my 1978 gs750. I ordered replacement cylinder o-rings, but I am not sure how to go about replacing them, or if I need to replace them. Could someone give me some advice on how to remove the old ones and install the new? Or is it something that I don't need to mess with. The old ones are not in bad shape...

[Dogma]

Dig them out with a dental pick or similar. On my 850, a couple were still soft, a couple came out in hard little pieces. Stuff the new ones in with a blunt screwdriver, or a stick, or some other thing that won't tear them.

What those o-rings actually accomplish, I'm not sure.

[loud et]

Worms!

I think its just a final /additional seal to keep oil out of your cylinders/pistons. I did not even know they were in there ...but when I had my engine apart and used the very potent aircraft stripper(paint remover) and coated the cylinder to prep them for painting.....all of a sudden all these little squiggly worms started coming out from around the cylinder walls! I had thoroughly melted those o rings! lol
They sure were easy to remove. lol

[snyderman]

Thanks for the help! I like to know what to expect, and now I do!