Hi Jeff, I owned an Alan Record around 1982 (bought from Mel Pinto imports, who I believe still imports them if you wanted to ask the source) and my top tube was definitely oval from the factory so I think yours was built that way, not squashed. Those Alans were way ahead of their time ;-)
Jim (who says stiffer bikes are better?) Langley Santa Cruz, CA
Subject: [CR]Alan Record frame
> We just took this frame in as a trade and had a couple of questions about
> it. The lugs are the typical cast aluminum and the frame tubes are a
matte
> black color. Did the Record frame have an ovalized top tube? The center
> section of our top tube has a very slight ovalization to it. It is very
> gradual and looks like some of the tubing manipulation that they use today
> but I didn't think that they did it to these frames when new. I am kinda
> guessing that it has been squashed in a repair stand but wanted to make
> sure.
>
> Thanks
> Jeff Archer
> First Flight Bicycles
> 216 S. Center St.
> Statesville, NC 28677
> 704.878.9683
> jeff@firstflightbikes.com
> http://www.firstflightbikes.com
> Always looking for vintage mountain bikes/parts/literature