all power going dead ?????

I have an 1981 KZ1000 LTD K1 that has run well now for 2=3yrs.. The other day when going to start the bike after about 2 wks a problem developed. On the 1st try it turned over slower than normal. This suprised me since I keep it on a trickle charger(which was in float mode- supposedly fully charged) On the 2nd attempt when I hit the starter button all power went dead (no lights with ignition on). Checked all fuses good (new fuse box 2-3yrs ago - nice clean terminals) I had a problem with the ignition switch 4-5 yrs ago ( loosened up started to come appart). So i checked the ignition switch with an ohm meter (it was doing what it was supposed to) Cleaned terminal connections with contact cleaner; took battery out to charge. Put everything back turned on ignition switch presto I had lights; hit starter button and everything went dead again. HELP Please any thoughts would be appreciated.

sounds like the battery is bad. When you try to start, it puts a very large load on it which knocks it down. Letting it sit a couple of minutes lets the battery come up enough to run the lights again.

To check: put voltmeter on battery and crank the starter. If the battery voltage drops below about 9,5V, the battery is hosed.

This can also happen if you have a bad connection or ground. Current can flow though fine on a loose connection, but once you have a huge current (like starting the bike) the connecting surfaces will spark and corrode, and break the connection.

Checking the voltage of the battery like bountyhunter said is a good idea. Your voltage should drop significantly, but too much and you know your battery is dead.

Another good idea is to try starting it in a dark place, and check for sparks. If your grounding wire or something else sparks, it's a bad connection and will need fixing.

As above it sounds exactly like a battery terminal or grounding connection issue.

Might be a connection, should check that. But I still bet on the battery. East to check that. Tell us what you find.

Took the battery to advance auto to be tested. It was toast. Thats the second time a YUASA replacement battery from the local dealer has had a relatively short life. Since those batteries are apparently junk. I picked up a more modern (maintenance free ) battery. Put it in turned the key lights came on. Hit the starter button it spun over faster than it ever has since I've owned it . So fast that it started quickly after sitting for 2-3 wks. Usually it takes a while to get gas back to the carbs. Thanx to all who responded. If I had asked first I could have saved my self a lot of work and aggravation. Thanx again.

Be sure not to charge a motorcycle battery at a charging rate greater than 2 amps as that will shorten the battery's life. Ed