1981 kz1000 j

Evening gentlemen I have learned so much from this space over the years and have solved many of new issues. I am mechanically inclined. I have finally rebuilt tranny, got the bike back together tuned the carbs, was setting the clutch adjustment and bike cut off. Power was almost flickering on and off(one or two times)  I popped the clutch after 10 mins of trouble shooting(just random) and the power came right back on but if you can get the power to flick on the moment you hit start(click) goes black. No power at all. All fuses are good and and battery is good. Now after I have gotten power a few times here and there and tried to crank er’ but every time click then no power. Now I can’t get power at all. I never could replicate the short(my opinion) any ideas or simalar symptoms? 

Does your clutch lever have two black wires in a plastic sheath. If so I’d check that. You should be able to trace it from the lever to the bike and find the connector. It’s a normally open switch that closes when you pull the clutch lever in. You can test that with a multi meter set on continuity. 

See how you get on with the clutch switch, if no joy let us know and I will give you some pointers to pin it down (I don't think it's a short, any short significant enough to knock the whole bike out would be blowing fuses or smoking) how comfortable are you with electrics and electrical testing ?
Is your bike US or European spec (different wiring layouts)

Might be obvious - but check that your battery terminals and ground lead are firmly attached. If they come loose you can get intermittent power like a switch turning on and off whenever you move or run the bike. I once spent a good half an hour trying to diagnose a similar issue on my brother's ute which turned out to be a loose battery terminal. It should always be the first thing to check.