Applying frame saver to my windsor tourist bike today. It has a threaded headset, which was adjusted by the lbs when they helped me put it together.. The headset has always felt fine to me.. No looseness nor tightness. The bike is less than a year old and has not seen a winter...

However, once i removed the wheel, handlebar, stem - Now when i turn the fork, i immediately felt binding in the headset.. The headset felt much tighter when i turned the fork to the left and right extremes, and there was a very noticable indent in the middle position( when fork is turned facing forward). I have not yet adjusted any of the locknuts or cones. There are no cables attached to the fork.. Just a plastic fender.

So given that the headset felt fine when riding, is what i described normal once all the weight is taken off the fork? Thanks