OK, So this thread is to get some ideas on making an LA-2 battery fit into the battery compartment of the Savage.  How about a little background:
I recently got my 01 savage used from across the state, and sure enough the battery was dead, so a few dollars were knocked off and went on my quest to find a battery for my new bike. Well all the autopart stores- Nothing, Wally World- Nothing, 3 out of 5 bike shops in town- Nothing (stealership wanted $120), Sears- AGM battery $100, Batteries plus- AGM battery $80.
Oh yeah, the LA-2 is available at all sources in this list, walmart being cheapest at $28.88

So in an era where the LA-2 is available for under $30 at walmart, why is it that Suzuki still uses the LB-2? The wiring harness wouldn't have to change, only the box. The LA-2 differs in the LB-2 stock battery only in that it has the drain valve on the opposite side (And the fact that the LA-2 is cheaper and VERY readily available).
BTW I bought mine from the Kawasaki dealer(LB-2's used in a couple Jet Skis) for $50, just the price I talked down the PO for the bad battery.

I've looked into cutting out some of the chrome, but then where would the drain hose go? I know the belt is there, but I'd think a few well placed clips would easy the worry on that.

Any ideas? I'm considering buying a box off the marketplace and trying some fab work.

Having no drain tube is a bad idea.  Batteries burp bubbles of hydrochloric acid on occasion along with a steady light stream of hydrogen gas.  Puke tube routes this to the ground with as little harm as possible to the bike.  Puke tubes are a good thing to have.


==== Lowes or Home Depot carries the clear tubing by the foot  ====


Try this idea, put a longer clear tube on your "backwards" LA-2 battery, loop the clear tube over the top of the battery and back down the side it was meant to go down.  The battery won't care, it will just burp into the loop portion with bubbles of acid which will go across and then run down the long straight stretch to the ground once the ever expanding hydrogen gas pushes the little burps that far along the tube.  

No sweat, no hassle -- so save yourself the $50 plus bucks and buy the largest Wal-Mart battery that will fit into your battery box that has the +/- connections on the side that will work and fit to the existing cables.

And hey, if the cables won't bolt up easily to the biggest cheap Wally battery -- fix them.   You own a soldering iron and heat shrink tubing don't you?  Add some wire until they reach where they need to reach.

LB-2a battery spec is an old spec that is obsolete now -- LA-2 is what is currently produced and shipped by everyone.  Fix your bike so it uses what Wally carries and have an easier life from this point forward.

mines LA-2...just cut a notch for the tube and run the hose down from there....no probs

Aquarium airline works too!!!