What is the consensus on the need for the square plastic fuel filter
between the fuel pump and the fuel tank?

I bypassed it with a brass coupling but then thought the better and
installed a new one.  I surmise it is to keep crud out of the fuel pump.
Since I installed a new pump I want to err on the safe side.  Seem to
remember some earler post that the factory installed them to filter out
residue from the then new fuel tanks.  The dealar then bypassed them later
at a service interval.

Bill
83.5 Westy