i didn't think of using electrical tape over the clamp then removing the lever bodies before wrapping.
i only have two experiences with these kind of levers. and i usually use cane creek hoods that are sort of easy to roll up on the lever body to allow you to wrap the bars.
but these dia-compe 204 hoods fit and look way better than the cane creeks. but they're so firm, you can't roll them up without risking a tear.
they seem to be getting hard to find too. velo orange has them, but i don't like paying so much for shipping. i had an lbs (freerange cycles in seattle) order these for me for $12/ea.
i don't really care for the repro campy hoods.