WILL A CLOGGED FUEL FILTER ON A STOCK HARLEY EVO CAUSE THE BIKE TO RUN LEAN?

I HAVE A 93 EVO....MIKUNI CARB....KURYAKYN VELOCITY RAPTOR AIRCLEANER....VANCE N HINES STRAIGHT DRAG PIPES....ITS BEEN BACKFIRING THROUGH THE CARB....NOT ALL THE TIME JUST OCCASIONALY POPS....USUALY IN 3 4TH OR 5TH GEAR ON DECELERATION...NEVER AT IDLE OR ON REV. I CHECKED FUEL FILTER IT WAS PLUGGED A LITTLE, NEW ONE ON WAY. COULD THE FUEL FILTER BE THE ISSUE? OR WHAT? I KNOW ITS LEAN BUT IM HOPING TO NOT NEED A REJET....OR TO TAKE TO DEALER...DONT FEEL LIKE GETTING RAPED IF I CAN FIX MYSELF.