This is Henne’s 83er Princess. Sent to us by Henrik Mende, this stunning Yamaha XS650 is a testament to the dedication and skill poured into every inch of its transformation.

Originally an AME conversion from 1983, Henrik acquired this gem in 2020, finding it in a garage where it had been resting for 20 years.

Despite its non-operational state, the engine remained rust-free in the cylinders, a promising start for what would become a labor of love.

Henrik began by completely disassembling the bike and discarding the outdated electrical system.

“The first thing I did was take everything apart and inspect it,” he says. “The electrics were completely thrown out.”

With a clear vision in mind, Henrik consulted with an expert to fine-tune his plans before diving into the rebuild.

The transformation kicked off with a full sandblasting of the frame, followed by significant modifications.

The rear end was cut and re-shaped downward, with reinforced shock mounts to ensure stability.

Henrik and his team extended the swingarm by 5cm, a painstaking process that also involved cleaning up the design for a sleeker look. The fender mounts proved challenging, but they ultimately opted for struts, reminiscent of Harley-Davidson designs.

One of the standout features of this build is the custom fuel tank. Originally a Sportster blank, it underwent extensive modifications.

Henrik explains, “The tank received a new tunnel to hide the ignition coils, was narrowed in the seat area, and the filler cap was moved to the highest point.”

This attention to detail extends to the ducktail fender, which was reinforced to accommodate a passenger.

The front end received a significant upgrade with an AME triple tree replacing the Fischer unit, and forks sourced from a Suzuki LS650, featuring 8″ over stanchions from AME.

The cast wheels were swapped out for spoked wheels, measuring 1.85 x 21″ at the front and 3 x 16″ at the rear, both powder-coated black with stainless steel spokes and wrapped in Avon Tyres.

The braking system also saw considerable improvements. “I had to search extensively for a front brake caliper,” Henrik recalls. “I eventually found a Brembo caliper from a Cagiva, paired with a Duralu brake anchor plate, all centered with new spacers.”

The rear drum brake was meticulously refurbished to ensure optimal performance.

Henrik’s attention to detail is evident in the handlebars, a 35mm Ape smooth-bend from V-Team, and the Classic controls from Customtech. The fuel cap features a custom engraving of ZZ-Top’s Mescalero album cover, a personal touch added by a friend.

The paint job is nothing short of spectacular.

The frame, swingarm, seat base, and triple tree were primed and coated in matte black, followed by layers of metal flakes and candy paint, all sealed with three layers of clear coat.

The bodywork received an even more intricate treatment, with a black base, silver mirror surfaces, metal flakes, and a unique pattern created using a curtain and airbrush techniques.

The final result was sealed with four layers of clear coat, ensuring a lasting finish.

The seat was custom upholstered by a close friend, following Henrik’s precise specifications.

The bike also features a Vape electronic ignition and minimalist electrics from Axel Joost, all neatly tucked away in a box under the seat, out of sight.

Currently, the custom exhaust is temporarily replaced by the original headers with Miller mufflers, but the bike runs smoothly after extensive carburetor tuning.

Henrik proudly notes, “The carburetor tuning cost me some nerves, but now the machine runs perfectly.”