As others noted, clamping around the tape is not a good idea. Aside from ruining the tape you are trying to save (once you clamp on it, that section will be toast), you will not have a firm foundation to pull against when you brake. Just carefully unwrap the tape, install the levers and rewrap the tape. I've done this with cheap cork tape that had been in place a while so would think it would be possible with the leather.