I just picked up a 2005 sporty ... are there any differences in the frames up to 2012? Just wondering ... Thx ... Gadget

 

I believe all the 04 to current year frames are exactly the same.

 

Thats what I was thinking ... but I knew there would be lots of info here on them ... Luv the 48 ... gonna make a bobber / bar hopper out of this 05 ... Gadget

 

From what I have seen most things for sportys are interchangeable from 04+ sans the intake/exhaust stuff which switches to EFI in 07. Here is a quick read from wikipedia:

Significant changes by model year:
...
2003 Last year for the frame mounted Evolution engine.
2004 All-new frame including rubber-mounted engine for decreased vibration. Elimination of the transmission trap door, New shape hamcan, Exhaust balance pipe moved from running under the air filter and disguised and hidden behind the silencers to show more of engine, new smoother style oil tank right side panel with push and turn filler/dipstick, and the previously exposed battery is now enclosed in a matching side panel on the left
2005 Enlarged rear axle to 1" for increased stability.
2006 New XR1200 is announced at Intermot in Cologne, Germany. The XR1200 is the first Harley-Davidson to utilize Down Draft DDFI II fuel injection. To be released as a late 2006 model.
2007 Fuel injection replaces carburetion on all models.
2009 "One size fits all" front mudguard approach replaced by improved mudguard contour to match each model's respective wheel diameters.
2010 The ECU is relocated to allow more variation in aftermarket seat selection

Here's the link if you want to become a "professional" on sportsters.

 

You pretty much bind yourself to 04 & up motors. You can put together a 48 style with any Sportster frame.

 

I think you'll find somewhere in recent years they went to metric 25mm wheel axles, I would guess 2009.