MAYWOOD, ILL.-Would a Harley owner rather end slippage with a new American product that costs $100-$150 or undergo an electrical system overhaul that could cost thousands of dollars?
Paul Weldon, the president and owner of Van Bergen & Greener, the force behind the first-of- its-kind, American-made spragg clutch is guessing that more than one million Harley owners want a better ride for less money for a longer period of time.
"As motorcycles age, the electrical timing goes off and it's a big overhaul to get it corrected," says Weldon, who came up with the unique Van Bergen Spragg Clutch customized for Harleys. "This new spragg mechanism allows torque to be absorbed with a customized Hitachi starter drive modified for the Harley," he says.
This time-tested, USA-made clutch has only alloy steels and offers 300 percent more bearing surface for greater torque distribution. Using modifications of the same technology and manufacturing that has been successful for five decades on trucks and industrial vehicles, Weldon says he made an adaptation to create this customized clutch that allows Harley owners greater ride satisfaction, longer lasting high performance and relief from slippage.
"It's been tried and tested for more than three years with stellar results," he says.
Others agree. "I don't question it is more durable," says Jim Egizio, a Harley Performance Specialist at Illinois Harley Davidson, who has the Van Bergen Spragg Clutch on his own vehicle.
HOG owners in the more than 1,400 chapters worldwide can order the product directly online at www.harleystarterdrives.com or request a VanBergenSpragg Clutch from the dealer.
"We want to get this out for the benefit of the Harley rider and put it on as many bikes as we can," says Weldon, who runs the family-owned manufacturer that has stayed in the USA for nearly 100 years. Now t the helm of the company started by his grandfather, then passed down to his father and mother, Weldon works hard to pair American-bred innovation with family tradition.
"We are the only all-American, USA-made clutch choice that not only assembles but makes our own components," says Weldon. "And this extra strength starter gives the Harley rider a better solution."