Bruce asked about using golf grip leather on handlebars, checking my Golfsmith catalog, there's 50" of wrap for $6.85. but this only wraps a little over 10" of .5~.6" diameter tubing. I measure apx. 16" of 1" diameter tubing on a regular drop bar to be wrapped. It would mean that you would need 2, maybe 3 wraps per side to finish a complete handlebar. What's the length of a roll of cloth tape?
Neill's idea of a harness shop (there's plenty around here) for 8 foot lengths of leather is a good one, there's also leather steering wheel wraps available somewhere..