Must remove pistons before pulling crank from top case?

[hannibal]

I'm working on a GS750B, I've got the cases split and I'm trying to remove the crank from the top case. Piston #1 seems to be getting caught on the case, preventing me from lifting the crank and rotating assembly from the top case. I felt around where pistons 1 and 4 meet the case and there seems to be additional "webbing" around the two outside cylinders. There is a bit of lateral movement of the piston since it can slide on the piston pin. I've been trying to lift the crank while wiggling the piston to see if it will clear but it's pretty difficult with just 2 hands.

My question is whether the crank with pistons attached can be removed from the top case. I'm trying to get down to the bare case to clean out the debris that found its way down there (and get the rust off the studs), then reinstall with a new cam chain and right side seals on the crank, trans, and counter shafts.

[1980GS1000E]

Why not separate the pistons? Since you are this far along in the work, you might as well. You risk scratching the pistons by not removing them. As to whether or not you can do what you ask, I don't know, but I would remove them.

[TeamDar]

You can't remove the crank with the pistons installed. Even if you could you would never be able to reinstall the pistons into the cylinders while compressing the rings with the weight of the crankshaft. Dar