DO THIS:
1-make sure the small factory O-ring is on your new cable. have seen new replacements with the O-ring missing. it is what seals the cable to the primary cover and keeps the lubricating oil inside the cover.
2-make sure cable is DISCONNECTED from both the lever assembly AND the cable bracket. the cable is at the front top of the engine. on yours it will be a Curly-Q shaped piece of wire. see note below!
3-put a piece of 2 inch thick block between the ground and the sidestand. places the bike closer to vertical.
4-hold the threaded cable end up to the primary cover threaded hole and see how far above the ground it is. now get something similar in height like multiple blocks of wood or anything to improvise, as a shelf. sit on ground next to left side of primary cover....place your improvised shelf about 2 feet to the left/front of the primary cover....rest the cable on same....acts as a support for the cable...and start to thread it in till tight. then snug up cable to primary cover. use common sense as the primary cover threads are aluminum and will strip if you get aggressive.
NOTE: TWO THINGS I WOULD DO TO A STOCK 2003 XB TO ADDRESS SUB-STANDARD FACTORY INSTALLED PIECES:
1-click on my screen name...click on "find latest posts". scroll thru until you find my 2003 BUELL XB SIDESTAND REPAIR thread. was several months ago. it fully addressed how to upgrade your stand with reissued factory repair kit.
2-replace the Curly-Q clutch cable holder bracket. it was junk. most any dealer can order it in for you. the part number is BUELL----- N0012.1AAA-----i keep them in stock. last i checked dealer list price around $14
it looks like this:
32514D90-5A41-4B72-9C36-B4A450F82998.jpg