A method for writing servo information onto a disk of a hard disk drive with a servo writer. The disk has a circumferential index and a band of servo reference tracks. The circumferential index is detected from a clock signal generated from a clock track of the disk. The reference tracks include radial indices. A spiral servo pattern is written upon the detection of the circumferential index and a radial index. The servo writer includes a phase detector that detects changes in the relative position of the circumferential and radial indices and a delay circuit that delays the clock signal to offset such changes.