New battery, but no ignition lights come on - 1996 kawasaki EN 500 Vulcan Classic

Sounds like a bad diode in the alternator, feedback to ground draining battery......check alternator.....always disconnect battery ground cable to avoid arcing and shorting the diodes in the alternator....connect negative battery cable last when working with polarity sensitive devices..........

Battery light is (more accurately) also named charging light or generator light.
One side of the light is connected to the battery via the ignition switch and the other is connected to the alternator. When the ignition is switched on, one side of the light is at battery voltage and the other side at 0 volts and so the light illuminates but when the engine starts and the alternator produces a full output both sides of the light is at the same voltage and so no current flows and the light is extinguished.

Assuming there are no wiring or connection problems your alternator isn't producing a charge. Perhaps you didn't need a new battery...

No dash lights? no warning lights? Then ignition is not being turned to ON. Check all your fuses. Recheck your replacement work. Battery cables clean and tight? Headlights work? If lights are bright, battery is good and cables are good, so key to ON should light up warning lights on dash. If not something up still with your ignition switch.

There are many different ignitions for pilot light burners. Some are piezo ( You have to press a button to ignite the pilot) , battery ignition, there will be a switch somewhere on the oven to press or switch , or full auto ignition, which is done by an electric ignition pack usually situated under the oven or mounted on the rear at the back. The full auto ignition will light the pilot when you turn the oven on. Make sure you have the gas on, battery is new (If battery ignition) or power is available.

Check the fuse box directly behind battery. Also check that the starter positive is not touching the body

It could be a bad ignition switch, do you have instrument panel warning lights when you try to start it?

clean elsctrode or it could just be out of postion to far away too light gas

Did you check your brand new battery? Fully charged? Hydro was good? You are connected properly ( + = + and - = - ) Do a volt check yourselg between + and - (frame)

If yes to all, Id be looking at the ignition switch.

Ensure alternator excitation lamp (IGN) indicator lights when Ignition vehicle ignition is switched on prior to starting engine.
This light should normally extinguish as soon as motor starts.
(+12V is supplied through a small lamp to the Alternator 'IND' terminal whenever the Ignition switch is on).
Also check for any burnt out fusible link on the alternator output- terminal B+ should have battery voltage on it at all times.