UPDATE: during that ride a couple days ago I noticed the front wheel wasn't tracking straight. so prior to breaking the front headset assembly down I did notice the tire to be leaning to the left. it appears that the fork is somehow bent, possibly at the crown. the headtube appears to be straight and alinged with the top/down tubes, but the funny lean would have you think otherwise as a bend in the fork is almost unnoticeable. I am going to lay the fork up against another that is similar (read as my friends '80's vintage Raleigh) to see if there is a difference.
i hope it is good to go, even if it needs a little 'persuasion'. because french bicycle forks are not easy to find from what I have been told.