I know the accepted norm is to change sprockets each time a new chain is installed. My feeling is there is an exception to that. There are a couple things to consider. A chain does NOT require any pretension to engage the sproket teeth correctly. Pretension shortens chain life and sprocket life.
"O" rings chains have all the lube they will ever need internally sealed on the pins by the "O" rings. The only reason to lube an "O" ring chain is to keep the sideplates from rusting and to keep the rubber "O" rings from drying out and becoming brittle. All chain lubes I have used, have to some degree attracted and held grit, which wears the "O" rings.
HERE is the biggie. The service limit on chain adjustment is 1 1/2 marks on the scale on each side of the rear axle on the swingarm end. If a new chain is installed with new sprockets.......lets say you adjust the chain, take the bike for a 50 mile ride to "set" the chain, then come back and re-adjust the chain for a starting point. If at that time the correct chain tension is with the adjuster aligned on the 3rd mark back from the front, then the maximum adjustment will be at 4 1/2 marks back from the front. Beyond that, the chain is worn out and sprocket wear will occur. The correct tension on a chain is when someone of your weight is sitting on the bike with it upright on the tires and there is 3/4 to 1" movement above AND below mid point on the lower chain run. If the chain is set with that degree of slack, a good quality "O" ring chain will wear very slowly. When 1 1/2 marks of adjustment has been used, replace the chain. I recently checked my sprockets against new replacements I have on hand and there is no noticable wear. The sprockets have about 20,000 miles on them and still look like new. I use a small squirt bottle filled with 90 weight gear oil on my chain and wipe any excess off after letting it sit for 5 minutes. No dirt attraction, no oil sling on the rear rim, no rust and the "O" rings stay pliable. A quart of gear oil is cheap and will lube a LOT of chain. It doesnt take much. I squirt a wipe off film of oil onto the sideplates and "O" rings about every 500 miles.
I also use Tsubaki clip type masterlinks. These masterlink sideplates fit so tightly that two "C" clamps and a couple small sockets are necessary to press the sideplate on. The spring clips also snap on very tightly. I have never had a clip break, had a sideplate come apart or thrown a chain because of using this type of masterlink. It may be in part because of the chain tension and chain maintenance. I dont know.
Earl
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