Bicycle Mechanics - Brake lever clamps- Question

I just purchased a set of very lightly used Dia Compe road levers off of ebay thinking all clamp sizes are pretty standard, but I completely forgot that it wasn't always this way. It turns out the clamps are sized for 22.2mm to 23.8mm bars, far too small for my Cinelli 26.4mm bars.

Would there be any disastrous outcome if I were to find a pair of clamps that fit my 26.4mm bars? Where on earth can I find the clamps without buying another set of levers? The Dia Compe levers have a hole in the middle of the lever to tighten the clamp, unlike Shimano's system where you slide a wrench down the side of the hoods

As far as I know, all road handlebars have always been made to the same diameter in the area where the brake levers mount. The 26.4mm diameter of your Cinelli bars refers only to the center section where the stem clamps on to the handlebars. All handlebars taper down to a smaller diameter in the area outside of the stem clamp. If you have not yet tried fitting those brake levers to your bars, give it a try before you waste time looking for a solution that likely doesn't exist (because it doesn't need to).

As far as I know, all road handlebars have always been made to the same diameter in the area where the brake levers mount. The 26.4mm diameter of your Cinelli bars refers only to the center section where the stem clamps on to the handlebars. All handlebars taper down to a smaller diameter in the area outside of the stem clamp. If you have not yet tried fitting those brake levers to your bars, give it a try before you waste time looking for a solution that likely doesn't exist (because it doesn't need to).

You're pretty much right, but with one notable exception,

the steel drops that came on almost every bike boom 10 speed actually used the 22.2 mountain size. Most brake levers can be adjusted to fit, but they can't be spread back to a normal sized bar.

however, that shouldn't affect the OP with his Cinelli. He should be fine

I figured that there was at least one exception, hence the "as far as I know." But now I know more. Thanks :)

I took the clamps off the levers thinking maybe the hoods were somehow getting in the way, but now I can see that the clamps simply won't fit on the bars. The levers are aero (so at least 1985ish, most likely newer), so I'm sort of confused why there's such a small clamp on the levers.

Probably changed by the former owner.

Probably changed by the former owner.
Yeah, that's my guess. I'm going to Peoria IL tomorrow which has a few bigger/better bike shops that can hopefully help me out.