Externalizing the fuel filter

[towerworker]

I have only done this once before but found it worth while. I've got 60K on my '04 R and had never changed the fuel filter. I had an '03 and removed the internal fuel filter, bypassed it with a piece of fuel line and installed an external fuel filter. I did the same today on my '04 with 60K on the original filter. (way overdue)

It's a pain in the ass to remove the tank, then remove the filter/pump assembly to simply replace the fuel filter. So again I today bought a standard $6 fuel filter from Advance Auto, 12" of fuel injection rated fuel line (about $6 per ft) and a pack of "fuel injection" type fuel line clamps. You DO NOT want the cheap standard screw type hose clamps.

I removed the internal filter and installed in it's place a short length of fuel line. Then installed the $6 filter outside the tank with a short length of line. So when it comes time again to change the fuel filter it will be maybe a 20 minute job.

[gregor]

My 02 hit 25,000 miles (yesterday). Thought I'd get the filter changed for the first time and all the ABS fluid (second time) as the tank needs to be lifted anyway. Booked in at the local dealer as I'm not confident with that area.
Good luck to you.

[towerworker]

Gregor-

Servicing the ABS is next on the list. Could have done it yesterday when the tank was off but I'm too slow in my wrenching these days. Another weekend.

Wayne

[skylarmav1]

Thx. Tower.
Any pics? Where is the fuel filter now?

[Dr. Strangelove]

There's an xls file somewhere that shows how to do it, it's easy, but a pita, then it's done and voila! I think SweatMark posted it years back and it has all the detail and pictures you need. Thanks SweatMark.

I am shouting this:

YOU NEED TO USE GOOD FUEL INJECTION TUBING. ANYTHING ELSE WILL "MELT." It is expensive; if what you find is cheap, you have the wrong stuff. Also, the EXACT right size for the fuel injector clamps is mandatory...a sixteenth too big can cause problems. The clamps are ava at PepBoys; the FI hose at Napa, iirc.

[towerworker]

The filter is now just ahead of the QD's and just under the lip of the tank. I'll take a couple pics tomorrow and try to post them. Another thing---I used a physically small filter(smaller than OEM) so it most likely won't last as long as the original but it's a 15 min change out so I can live with that. And the Dr is right.......the right FI tubing is more expensive ....$6+ per ft. And it's heavier and has more reinforcement in the tubing walls. Don't scrimp on the tubing nor clamps.

[Roger 04 rt]

For hose inside the tank your talking $25-30 per foot. It has to be rated for constant immersion in gasoline.

Since you have to check the condition of the intank hoses periodically and for safety, I've left my filter in the tank.

[towerworker]

I will admit that bit of information got by me. The fuel line I had on hand was what was left over from doing my last R. I will recheck that line spec (R10) and pull the tank if necessary. Thanks!

[Roger 04 rt]

I will admit that bit of information got by me. The fuel line I had on hand was what was left over from doing my last R. I will recheck that line spec (R10) and pull the tank if necessary. Thanks!

No problem, I learned the hard way. The dealer who I bought my bike from refreshed the hoses before selling it. He used non-submersible for the vent lines in the tank. They were mushy in a couple months.

I'm pretty sure the hose you used is non-submersible from the rating you gave.

[towerworker]

I will admit that bit of information got by me. The fuel line I had on hand was what was left over from doing my last R. I will recheck that line spec (R10) and pull the tank if necessary. Thanks!

No problem, I learned the hard way. The dealer who I bought my bike from refreshed the hoses before selling it. He used non-submersible for the vent lines in the tank. They were mushy in a couple months.

I'm pretty sure the hose you used is non-submersible from the rating you gave.

The R10 spec I quoted was from Anton Largaider (http://www.largiader.com/shop/) He responded to a post on ADVRider concerning the same. I'm pretty certain my fuel line used was not of that spec but still looking into it.