The one way bearing needs to be cleaned. Disassemble it. Clean the bearing with motor spray or brake clean. Then you can put it in dry or use one way bearing lube (which works excellent) to lengthen intervals of cleaning. The fuel line is usually longer for three reasons: extend run time, chance to cool fuel (hot from exhaust) and dampen pulses (again, caused by the exhaust). You won't really hurt anything by shortening it. Remember to always use a good quality in line filter even if the tank already has one. I always use a stone filter (like big daddy) as they work much better than a screen.
