Thanks to all of you for help. Problem solved
As I suspected, the problem was at the starter relay. First, when I checked my manual, it shows two relays side-by-side. The manual labeled the one right next to the frame as the starter relay. As was previously noted, the relay next to the frame on my bike was the headlight relay. A closer look at the manual showed that the starter relay is the "taller" of the two. On my bike, it was the "outboard" one. (Note to any others -- I am the original owner of the bike, and it would appear that the bike came this way originally -- so take the labeling in the owner's manual with a grain of salt.)
Also, a thanks for the warning that there is aways power coming into the relay. I made sure to keep things safe.
My staring point was the relay itself. I took it out, and carefully took off the cover. All looked fine inside. There did appear to be a little oxidation on the male spades, so I brushed them clean. I then put it back in the harness, with the cover off. Upon pushing the start button -- nothing. So I manually closed the contact, and the starter engaged. So now that I know the relay itself closes the circuit, and the issue was activating the relay. I then worked on the connections to the relay some more. It appears that a little bit oxidation remained on the female connections, so I gently cleaned them with a fine file. I put the relay back in, and everything worked fine.
So, the biggest problem I had was that I originally was looking at the wrong relay. Upon finding the right one, I quickly suspected some possible oxidation, which I then focused on. Although I did not need to go beyond that, I thank all who commented so that I would have been able to isolate the problem, whatever it might have been.
This board is the greatest.
k_enn
