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Why everyone should have an inline fuel filter.

2fast

2fast

Crotch Rocket
I have been studying and rebuilding petcocks lately just to see if I can discover why everyone has problems with them. I won't go into it all right now. I am writing up an article for the Concourier on the subject which will go into detail and include more photos. HOWEVER, I have discovered something that convinces me that everyone with a stock petcock should have an inline fuel filter. The problem lies with that little tower screen that sits on top of the petcock. Many of us count on this screen to stop at least some crud, and maybe it does. But, in the three petcocks I am using for the article, I have found an nearly identical defect in each one. The base of the screen deforms over time and the pressure fit into the top of the petcock. This causes a dimple to form in the side of the screen base which is carburetor terms is a huge bypass for the crud right at the base of the fuel tank where it gathers. If you take a look at the photos here http://community.webshots.com/album/566614992PiUhdn it should be apparent to you. Each of the three screens have the dimple, and the other shot shows you where the dimple ends up. Not good. This gap is at a critical spot, and all kinds of stuff can get through it. Short of using a sealant of some type to seal the gap (not something I am willing to try), an inline filter seems like an excellent addition to prevent carb problems. I will go into the petcock rebuild stuff in the Concourier......stay tuned.
 
Brian, nicely done. Those photos show it all! Looking forward to your article in the Concourier. I just put an inline filter on my bike about a month ago after encountering more carb issues. A carb rebuild is coming up shortly. Does the petcock rebuild kit come with a new screen, thus eliminating the issue (at least temporarily)? Greg H from Mass, Connie Droppers Anonymous Awards Dude COG# 7010,a Tracey CDA 120 99 Connie "Herrin Christabelle", 05 Ninja 250
 
No, the petcock rebuild kits don't include the screen. New petcocks do. That may be why people have more success with the new ones....at least until the thing warps again.
 
Great info... looking forward to reading the entire story in the Concourier. -- Steve Smith, #3184 COG Northeast Area Director (somewhere in south central CT) If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
 
The only issue with filters is that there seems to be a high number of riders who experience fuel starvation at higher rpms. Anecdotal on my part, I ran a stock (fuel delivery system) '88 and '01 with no crud issues.
 
I wonder if the "fuel starvation issue" may not be more from partialy pinched fuel lines thn from the filter. I replaced my pet **** tis summer when I started running out of gas with 2 gal. left in tank, thinking that the pickup was bad. Discovered that the PO had put a filter in line and the fuel line was pinching in warm weather with low head presssur in the tank. Shortened the line and no more problem. 1990 Aint she a pretty Tomato (the bike ofcourse) wedshots albums http://community.webshots.com/user/sawfiler64/albums/most-recent
 
Veddy interesting, Brian. Lookin fwd to yer article. I may be jixin meself, but not everyone has petcock probs. Mine's still hangin in thar @ 163k. FWIW I did the Gene (tech nut frum the GWN) thing & stretched the spring a long time ago. 01 Conc, Mijami Floriduh Over the Pond 06: http://tinyurl.com/2vk9o2 route map: http://tinyurl.com/4p7pmd
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I saw that gap when I replaced my screen after cleaning it and thought maybe I had damaged it, not to worry though, I just globbed some Seal-All http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/reviews/SealAllGlueReview.htm in the gap and it's been fine. I'm running a NAPA 3006 so I really don't care about that screen much now anyway.
 
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