Removing intake valves

[alfisto]

Hello everyone, ive finally given in and decided to ask for help. Im mid restoration on my 1967 honda ss125a and have run into a slight problem. I bought a decent valve spring compressor and managed to remove both exhaust valves, however the intake valves are stuck. The valve stem caps (#12) for the exhaust valves came right out, after which the valves fell out. On the intake side i cant get the valve stem caps off and the valves encounter resirtance when i push them down. the resistance is springy, like a piece of rubber is blocking the way out.

any help would be appreciated. heres a diagram of the head, intake side is on the right.

 

[rockcitycafe]

try removing the valve stem seal before pushing the valve through the guide

 

[alfisto]

try removing the valve stem seal before pushing the valve through the guide

The valve stem seal is #11 right? On the exhaust side the valve stem cap was loose and i got it off with my fingers, after which the valve stem seal came off underneath. both intake side valve stem caps are stuck, so ive had no luck getting down to the seals. I doubt the caps are supposed to be stuck, so ill have a go loosening them. Thanks rockcity!