You (and the Owner's manual) and the salesman are correct; it was a bad adapter cable.

I'm an analogue guy stuck in a digital world.

Thank you.

 

Well, OP...how did this all work out? Did ya go back and buy that part, it worked primo, and all was right with the world?

Or did the parts guy actually turn out to be correct?

 

From the book entitled Things That Actually Happen In The Parts World That You Never Knew.

It may not be FOR phone charging specifically, but it will charge a phone.

 

The only time I'll buy a part from a dealership is when I can't wait on a delivery. Then I go armed with a part number.

 

I understand the bewildering array of models, years and assorted options; however, when I have to repeatedly explain that it is a 1200 and not an 883 in the same 10 minute interval I find it worrisome.

 

Since many parts are the same, it might not be worth explaining.

Just be glad somebody isn't trying to tell you that it is impossible your Softail is only 80 cubic inches and insisting your bike has counter balancers. All I could do was shake my head.

 

^^yeah but the use of the word 'many' instead of 'all' may be key here.

 

I can agree with the OP.

I have personal experience sometimes knowing more about cars & motorcycles than the repair shops or parts depots.

Post above about checking in the parking lot is good idea, yet beware, some parts can't be return if
the box/ package seal is broken open. And I can agree with such policy if not there error of the parts
depot.

 

To hell with Harleys, I'm getting into minibikes.......

 

Harley parts guys don't have a corner on this market. Went to Ehlerdings in Ft Wayne to get a few spare keys made for my Concours. Apparently Kawasaki had a ?mid year change? in key style on my bike. IIRC there were 3 different style blanks that could be ordered. Had my fob and key with me to show the parts guy and get them ordered. I was going to order 2 blanks. Now - because the parts screen didn't show the actual differences in blanks, he couldn't tell me what part number I needed. BUT he was informed enough to tell me I'd have to order each one to find out what the correct one was AND pay for those special ordered that didn't work at $12 each = $36 for one working key. Picked up my key and walked out, went to a keysmith friend and had 4 perfect keys made for $10.

Same dealership that laughed at me when I wanted to buy a HD in 1992. Same dealership who recently lost their HD franchise.