Do not touch them. They are vents, but only open if the internal pressure is really high to prevent the battery from exploding. If all is good the battery needs no venting, therefore the terminology "sealed battery". Also fully charge the battery before putting it into service.
thanks for the heads up. installed teh battery DID NOT touch the vents at all. works perfectly in this 20degree F weather we are having in the dc area at night now.
damn that battery acid smells horrible, nobody told me that the sulfer/raw egg smell reeks so bad while you are filling it up.
looks like the old battery was not in as bad condition as i thought, basically tested it and it holds a charge pretty well, it only let me down on one really cold night -1F outside, then i remembered that it did give me about 4 long tries of startig it before conking out.
anyone need a NON leaking GS battery that still holds a charge that would proably be good for a warm weather person that rides often? real cheap like 15$ or so and you pay shipping.