Hcadre

I am trying to find out the make and value of a bicycle I have, it is extremely well made and rare. I have sent photos to collectors and vintage bicycle shops and no one has been able to identify it. I can tell you it is a french racing bike made to fit only 1 inch tires. it had "astral" printed on the side, its an aluminum frame that is screwed together with no rivets or soldering. any help would be very appreciated.

YM

lotek 

I believe that is a 1940's French bike, built just after the war when Steel was not in great supply.
It is similar to Carminade and other French Aluminum bikes. I really don't know much about them
but you should contact Classic Rendezvous, you'll have to join but it's a great resource and
there are a few members who are very well versed in French frames.
the link to join is: https://www.phred.org/mailman/listinfo/classicrendezvous

Marty

Hcadre

Thanks will do

unworthy1

An identical frame to this was ID'd by them (specifically I think it was Norris Lockley or Hilary Stone) back a few years ago. I think pics of it even appeared in this forum, too. I just can't remember the name, but searching those names with "Carminade" and "French Aluminum" or "Dural" should get you there.
try this search link and select "classicrendezvous"in the drop-down menu:
search.bikelist.org
Edit, this might be your answer, courtesy of Norris Lockley:
"Possibly the last manifestation of the Mecadural,/AVIAC/Gnome et Rhone
internal expanding joint type of construction was the HAUTIPROD frame that
appeared in the mid-to-late 70s. This had a very modern angular appearance,
but the whole of the frame relied upon mechanical fixings, with even the
round fork blades using exposed allen-key expander bolts inserted down the
fork crown. These frames were made in a small town just too the NW of Lyon."