Plastic fuel filter (2016)

robs ss · Jul 1, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
Rob,

1. Yes I use 5/16 filter. I can’t be 100% sure but I believe I use 1/4 hose from tap to filter (because of the tap spigot size) and 8mm or 5/16 for the rest (because I prefer a bigger bore).

2. I tend to clean them once a year over winter.

3. I was hoping that someone would answer Brians questions with an informed answer to be honest! I swill them around in thinners and blow them out backward with the air line. I’d like to know if there’s a better way.

4. Maybe people lose or break the filter whilst cleaning ?!

I do think these filters are overkill. But I know from experience that Keihin carbs (and Mikuni) are far more sensitive to even tiny particles of debris in the fuel than Amal’s. Too much of my life seems to be spent pissing around with carbs as it is, at least these irradicate one factor !

Many thanks for the quick and honest response!
I have started another thread for Australians wanting to buy clear/yellow tygon tubing. May have similarities with UK? (mower places)

robs ss · Jul 1, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
Rob,

1. Yes I use 5/16 filter. I can’t be 100% sure but I believe I use 1/4 hose from tap to filter (because of the tap spigot size) and 8mm or 5/16 for the rest (because I prefer a bigger bore).

2. I tend to clean them once a year over winter.

3. I was hoping that someone would answer Brians questions with an informed answer to be honest! I swill them around in thinners and blow them out backward with the air line. I’d like to know if there’s a better way.

4. Maybe people lose or break the filter whilst cleaning ?!

I do think these filters are overkill. But I know from experience that Keihin carbs (and Mikuni) are far more sensitive to even tiny particles of debris in the fuel than Amal’s. Too much of my life seems to be spent pissing around with carbs as it is, at least these irradicate one factor !

Cheers - I'll buy a couple - seems good insurance!

BrianK · Jul 1, 2020

BrianK said:
So how does one clean those Pingel sintered bronze fuel filters anyway? Mine I think are due for it.

I emailed Pingel. Answer: "Carb cleaner."

concours · Apr 25, 2022

Looks like Pingel has some low cost look-alike competition. I have two coming, I'll test them out.

wavey_davey · Apr 25, 2022

I agree with Nigel, never have a problem with Amals but my Mikuni VM equipped bonneville floods occasionally despite good float needles and seats. Fitting filters is difficult on that bike due to lack of room and dislike of the conical plastic ones that bend.
I used the pretty cheap glass ones with removable chrome ends on my guzzi, but easier to accommodate (and hide). Not sure the blingey Pingel one is any better, it's pretty basic stuff at the end of the day?

Universal Inline Fuel Filter 6mm 1/4" Glass Chrome For Classic Motorcycle | eBay

Fuel Filter Glass 1/4 6mm

www.ebay.co.uk

Fast Eddie · Apr 26, 2022

concours said:
Looks like Pingel has some low cost look-alike competition. I have two coming, I'll test them out.
View attachment 94606 View attachment 94607

They’re NPT though right (not BSP)?

Fast Eddie · Apr 26, 2022

wavey_davey said:
I agree with Nigel, never have a problem with Amals but my Mikuni VM equipped bonneville floods occasionally despite good float needles and seats. Fitting filters is difficult on that bike due to lack of room and dislike of the conical plastic ones that bend.
I used the pretty cheap glass ones with removable chrome ends on my guzzi, but easier to accommodate (and hide). Not sure the blingey Pingel one is any better, it's pretty basic stuff at the end of the day?

Universal Inline Fuel Filter 6mm 1/4" Glass Chrome For Classic Motorcycle | eBay

Fuel Filter Glass 1/4 6mm

www.ebay.co.uk

That glass one uses a gauze / sieve !

The Pingel ones use a sintered filter. Definitely superior.

However I recently had to forego the Pingels on the Commando and started using some clear plastic 90 degree filters (gauze type) due to plumbing space constrain issues and they do seem to work well enough:

YING · Apr 26, 2022

robs ss said:
I have been using Tygon lines without issue - any others have experience on what lines are best?

Rob,
I have been using Tygon fuel line for many years with no clamps and have had absolutely no problems at all. That is using pump gas. Thanks for the help with the transmission questions.
Mike Yingling

robs ss · Apr 26, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
That glass one uses a gauze / sieve !

The Pingel ones use a sintered filter. Definitely superior.

However I recently had to forego the Pingels on the Commando and started using some clear plastic 90 degree filters (gauze type) due to plumbing space constrain issues and they do seem to work well enough:

You can get (as in - "I use") small plastic filters with sintered bronze elements. The original is Visu-Filter (wot I use) - I think they're still the best.
There are many Chinese knock-offs to avoid. After all if they can't get the flow arrow right whose to say their element filters properly?
Here's an example but there are cheaper sites for this item...
Cheers

Visu-Filter Compact Fuel Filter - 90 degree

These work great on carbureted KLR's, especially with a manual petcock because of the different location of the fuel barb. Features High-impact nylon housings Sonically welded for no-leak, no-break performance Fits 6mm / 1/4" ID fuel line. 90˚ clear nylon housing and sintered bronze element...

www.3dcycleparts.com

concours · Apr 26, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
They’re NPT though right (not BSP)?

Yes, the same as Pingle.

Fast Eddie · Apr 26, 2022

concours said:
Yes, the same as Pingle.

But not the same as Norton …

concours · Apr 26, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
But not the same as Norton …

Again, you are correct.

robs ss · Apr 26, 2022

robs ss said:
You can get (as in - "I use") small plastic filters with sintered bronze elements. The original is Visu-Filter (wot I use) - I think they're still the best.
There are many Chinese knock-offs to avoid. After all if they can't get the flow arrow right whose to say their element filters properly?
Here's an example but there are cheaper sites for this item...
Cheers

Visu-Filter Compact Fuel Filter - 90 degree

These work great on carbureted KLR's, especially with a manual petcock because of the different location of the fuel barb. Features High-impact nylon housings Sonically welded for no-leak, no-break performance Fits 6mm / 1/4" ID fuel line. 90˚ clear nylon housing and sintered bronze element...

www.3dcycleparts.com

Here's where I got mine... https://www.oemcycle.com/Products/F...Visu-Filter_1_4_in._I.D._In-line_Fuel_Filter#

I have a couple of Pingle filters but they're big and heavy - so mounting is a big issue.

Fast Eddie · Apr 26, 2022

robs ss said:
I have a couple of Pingle filters but they're big and heavy - so mounting is a big issue.

Agreed.

Fast Eddie · Apr 26, 2022

concours said:
Again, you are correct.

Shame, was hoping you were gonna tell me there are BSP versions !

wavey_davey · Apr 26, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
That glass one uses a gauze / sieve !

The Pingel ones use a sintered filter. Definitely superior.

However I recently had to forego the Pingels on the Commando and started using some clear plastic 90 degree filters (gauze type) due to plumbing space constrain issues and they do seem to work well enough:

View attachment 94616 View attachment 94617 View attachment 94618

Maybe a bit too superior
Why wouldn't a 100 micron "seive" work fine on a carb, the finer filtration of sintered bronze is generally only specified for injectors, (as I understand it) at the cost of limited backwash capability., ie throw the element away eventually.

Fast Eddie · Apr 26, 2022

wavey_davey said:
Maybe a bit too superior
Why wouldn't a 100 micron "seive" work fine on a carb, the finer filtration of sintered bronze is generally only specified for injectors, (as I understand it) at the cost of limited backwash capability., ie throw the element away eventually.

Could be.

I think it’s alll about the quality of what you get really.

I’ve seen pics of cheap ones melting with ethanol and coming apart at glued seams. I’ve personally bought some that were so restrictive I wouldn’t use them on a mower, even an electric mower! And I’ve had dirt issues (with Mikuni’s and FCRs) even with filters fitted.

So, I’m sure gauze types are fine… IF they’re good ones.

I think that buying good brands from good suppliers is important here rather than just buying random cheap shit on eBay!

wavey_davey · Apr 27, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
Could be.

I think it’s alll about the quality of what you get really.

I’ve seen pics of cheap ones melting with ethanol and coming apart at glued seams. I’ve personally bought some that were so restrictive I wouldn’t use them on a mower, even an electric mower! And I’ve had dirt issues (with Mikuni’s and FCRs) even with filters fitted.

So, I’m sure gauze types are fine… IF they’re good ones.

I think that buying good brands from good suppliers is important here rather than just buying random cheap shit on eBay!

I agree Nigel, cheap shit that doesn't work or falls apart annoys me too. Which is why I posted the metal/glass ones (made in Italy). Hold up well ime, have good flow characteristics (due to the size which can be a downside) and are reasonably priced rather than cheap. I'm not anti Pingel, looked into them when I struggled to find decent fuel taps, but found decent alternatives at less than half the price (and this seems to be turning into a fuel tap and tygon thread!

wavey_davey · Apr 27, 2022

And my smiley emojis haven't appeared in either of my replies, which makes them sound snarkey, sorry.

Plastic fuel filter (2016)

Pittsboro,NC