If you apply power to the small terminal on the relay, does it engage and power the starter? If so, your relay is working, and you have a wire or neutral safety switch problem.
I have jumped from the large + terminal on the relay to the small terminal using a screwdriver in the past to test, or to bump the crankshaft while setting ignition timing.
Do that, and report back...

FWIW, most lever position switches are/were mounted further down the steering column so that they were relatively easy to access.
tom