I've been riding my bike (old '82 45 Magna) around most of the time, and letting my car sit, lately. I installed new grips, horns, and brakes. I also had new tires put on. I felt everything was in good working order.

I try to remember to visually inspect my bike before hopping on & taking off. (Stuff like fluid levels, look for leaks, are the axle bolts still there, ect.) I failed to check something very important the other night. It was the bolt that keeps my rear (drum) brake hub from spinning with the wheel when the brakes are applied. It was good & tight two months ago when I replaced the shoes, but I unfortunately hadn't gone back & checked the torque again. A quick look didn't help since the bolt head is recessed into the swingarm, and the threads exist only a short distance from the bolt head. (the rest of it is unthreaded, and rests in the hole in the brake hub).

I got VERY lucky when I went to stop. I was slowing down for a red light when I heard a loud PING, and my brake pedal wouldn't move at all! I wasn't going fast, and I was able to stop safely with my front brakes. I didn't know what had happened, (my wheel did not lock, thankfully)  I turned & got to a street lamp.

  I got off & saw the hub turned about 2/3 of the way around, and the brake linkage was twisted around the axle bolt spacer. The shaft coming out of the hub for the brake lever had sheared off, keeping the wheel from locking. I then saw the keeper bolt, still recessed in the swing arm. It was finger-loose, so I put it in my pocket. (it wasn't doing anything now anyway.)

  The bike is shaft driven, so the linkage wasn't in the way. I rode the 8-10 miles home slowly, with front brakes only. 

Lucky Pete
(waiting on parts)

p.s. Check those bolts!!!