2003 Honda foreman 500 slippage???

Thanks for the reply.
Haven't changed the oil recently, and the level is good.
I'm actually thinking now that it is the Hondamatic going. When I was collecting sap to make maple syrup this spring. I put it on Manual mode and the shifting wasn't always working...sometimes I would have to hit the gear up or down multiple times.
So I stopped using that mode and went to the d2 mode it worked fine all spring until around June when I was doing wood. It only happened a cope times, but as I would start to accelerate from a stop the bike would start to move then it wouldn't suddenly feel like the brakes were on...I just let off the gas then hit the gas again and it would move fine...that happened a few times, so I started just using the d1 mode, everything was good until the other day when I heard this " slippage" sound.
Took the trailer off and went for a ride and it seemed ok...but as soon as I was in any mud or came into any resistance ( wheels up against log or rock etc) I'd give it a little more has to get over it and the slippage would happen again.
So I'm thinking it is the Honda matic
I take it this is an expensive fix too eh....
Should I even bother fixing it? Or is it screwed ?

Ya I've always taken care of everything I own. It's proabbaly why I'm not the guy in our riding group that keeps breaking down lol
Problem with this bike though is it was beaten pretty bad by the guy I got it from. I only paid $600 for it. Got it to be a parts bike for my other rubicon. After I stripped it I figured I'd put a few bucks in it over the winter for fun.
So put cam chain, oil pump chain, bearings, rear pads, seat, cam chain tensioner.
So figured I'd use it for work on my 40acres. Collecting maple sap for syrup, firwood etc . Been doing that and it's been running great except burning oil. Wish I knew that when I had it open I would have put new rings in. But now with this problem, not sure I will.
Blows me away that some ppl treat their bikes like that.
Didn't know about the Honda matic bearing Problems before I picked up my 2002 or I would have stayed with foot shift
Can't believe they would put that bearing in there with plastic on it,

I still have to learn how to use this forum...I kept checking in all day and didn't see your reply until now.
You are exactly right though, that's a lot of metal in the filter. I didn't see anything like you described regarding plastic.
At this point I don't think I want to waste a new oil filter and 5 litres of fresh oil in it if it's just going to blow in the near future.
I've messaged harig, but no response as of yet.
I don't know any machinists, and I'd feel a lot more confident if a guy like harig or someone else that has experience with these Hondamatics
So unless I get a response from him it seems like I'm just going to park it and throw a tarp over it.
I know I only got it for a parts bike for my good one, but I've spent about $500 on parts to get it usable as my work bike and was hoping to keep my mint one for hunting and trail riding.
What would you do if you were in my situation?