TOPIC:

my oil seal must've been original, because it was so gunked up in the tube that I couldn't tell rubber from grime. There also seems to be a metal lip that the oil seal sits around..? but the new oil seal I have doesnt look like it would fit. Tried setting the new seal atop this lip, and the c-clip wouldn't be able to seat itself.

This leads me to believe this is part of the original seal and needs removed, I'm confused, does anyone have a proper diagram or picture of the inside of a clean lower fork that can help me determine whether or not I'm going crazy?

Is your Ltd a Twin or 750-4? What fork seals did you get? a part number would help. just in case you got the wrong seals.
In your parts topic I was assuming it was a 4-cyl motorcycle.

I am working on a 4cyl. I've looked at the other forum topics on similar issues and I'm certain I've got it right. The fork leg just LOOKS like it has a lip that technically could just be part of the old seal, but I doubt it because I scored the metal while trying to pry part of the old seal out. I'll try to get a picture here shortly that would better describe my issue.

I asked about a part number, because it's not uncommon for a guy to get the incorrect fork seals. They should measure 36x48x8/9.5.
A fork seal is basically a metal ring encased in rubber. When you pulled the old seals, did the metal ring come out with the seals? The first time I pulled one, I tore up the rubber, then saw that I needed to hook the metal ring. That's the only time I've destroyed a fork seal.

1981 KZ650-CSR. the KZ750 Ltd is similar.
snap ring, large washer & oil seal are shown in the fork diagram for the 650. The 1980 750H diagram doesn't show the washer.

Damn thank you for that image it helps a lot. I'm still apprehensive about mine though. here's the original plus what I'm seeing in my current forks that's confusing me. I'm definitely thinking this "lip" needs to come out now...

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationI really can't tell what's going on with your fork tube, but Is that a snap ring in there?
I can't enlarge the pic without downloading which I'm not going to do.
EB photos can be handy for stuff like this, especially NOS parts. You can find the part numbers at Partzilla.
Here's an example. others are listed.

Looks to me like the seals still in there . Put some tubing around a screwdriver so you dont damage the fork then carefully pry it out of there .

You're probably right. I asked about whether or not the fork seal metal rings came out when he pulled them, but he must've overlooked that or something.

Part of the seal is definitely still in there. I had a similar problem with my forks - don't think they had ever been serviced and the snap ring had dissolved into a rusty deposit on the seal!
below the groove for the snap ring the cylinder walls are flat until the start of the main cylinder. I don't have any pictures and my forks are back together but the seal should seat against the top of the main cylinder and end up just below the snap ring groove.