you say things starts to happen when the temp gauge picks up a reading... can it be the thermostat? if i remember correctly, heat and electrical resistance are directly proportional, therefor as heat rises so does resistance, maybe that resistance is causing a short somewhere in the thermostat or in the loom, maybe something is loose?

Well, having ridden it across London and back, everything seems fine. I guess I'll keep an eye on it and have a more in-depth delve into eletrickery if the problem rears its ugly head again. Thanks for the suggestions, guys.