REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTER/FUEL PUMP OPTIONS?

[JRD]

I recently purchased an '02 Le Mans with just over 3,000 miles showing on the clocks.  I am fairly certain this to be correct in that the tires looked virtually new other than being hard as a rock, and the date codes on the tires indicated a manufacture date of 2001.  After replacing the tires and going over the bike I decided to ride it over to Daytona for Bike Week for its maiden ride.  Initially the bike ran great but as the air temps increased the bike developed the dreaded hiccup and cough when stopped and idling in traffic or at a stop light.  Other than feeling a little "weak" in the mid-range between 3500-4000 RPM when accelerating, the bike ran great cruising at 80-85MPH on the interstate, achieving 43 MPG.

I should mention my fuel pump is situated in front of the frame, above the oil cooler and the regulator/rectifier is mounted in the frame triangle behind the fuel pump.  The fuel filter is mounted to the left side of the spine directly adjacent the left cylinder, and they wondered why they had vapor locks!   The fuel lines from the petcock to the fuel pump and filter as well as the oil cooler lines are all braided stainless steel.  Although everything looks well installed, the area above and in front of the engine just looks like everything was jammed into the first convenient place they could think of.  

After doing a complete service with the assistance of forum member Czakky, we adjusted the valves to the .006intake/.008exhaust specs, balanced the TPS, and installed new plugs.  Re-starting the bike we discovered a slow gas leak on the bottom of the fuel filter.  Before I turned my bike into a Roman candle we shut the engine down and decided it was time for a cold brew.

 

My question is, since I plan on replacing and re-locating the fuel filter on top of the frame spine, where I have seen pictures of others located, has anyone used any other type of filter with smaller dimensions? I realize I will probably have to modify or fab a new bracket to hold the filter as well as provide some type of heat insulation, but for the life of me I cant understand why it was mounted on the side of the frame directly above and next to the cylinder.

 

My second question, has anyone considered moving the fuel pump to the area behind the air box, below the shock and above the swing arm?  There looks to be plenty of room  and it would be easily accessible for maintenance.  I have seen several different automotive EFI fuel pumps with like pressure specs, much smaller dimensions that could easily fit in that area, and don't cost nearly as much as stock replacement units.  Any questions, comments and suggestions are welcome.

 

Jerry      

 

   

[LowRyter]

Harper's has fuel pumps for $120.  

 

Search the board and you can find the fuel filter at Napa for $20.  Or get the whole mess from Harpers.

 

http://www.harpermoto.com/fuel-pump.html

 

http://www.harpermoto.com/fuel-filter-a.html

[docc]

A good quality (like WIX 33310) fuel filter for the Isuzu Trooper (all years) fits in the stock bracket on top of the spine (early location when the pump was mounted above the left cylinder). The Isuzu filter in a shim smaller in diameter and less than an inch shorter than the Weber. And cheaper by far!

 

The fuel line from the petcock forward is the most susceptible to heat soak and really benefits from some careful grooming and shielding.

[LowRyter]

The factory filter is $25 from Harpers.  See my earlier post.

[JRD]

Thanks for the info guys.  When I removed my tank I discovered the main fuel line from the petcock to the fuel pump was resting on the cylinder fins!  I guess that's one way to keep the fuel lines from freezing.