Once the slides wear they will eventually snap off the leading edge of the slide. Pod filters don't help.
Pete
Kinda the opposite IME, saw it once or twice on LM 1/2 with unfiltered "bird catchers" but even then you'd have to have criminal neglect to actually keep riding with slide that worn.
Pod (unifilter foam) filters work well, I've used them for over 20 years on my own bike, I do change slides with atomizers and needles maybe every 50K miles, usually cos I can tell by fuel consumption that they're due but like new tyres, bike suddenly back to perfect running.
Only ever a slight ridge on slide you can just feel with fingernail. in the bin for that
So Murray
Just fix what's worn, with new slides, needles and atomisers it will be like new, you'll wonder how you rode it like that.
They are a maintenance item, yours should have gone in the bin years ago,