Fusibile Link Q

[Stocker]

Question about the fusibile link on the red wire that goes from the junction block on the RF fender to the voltage regulator. Where the fusibile link joins the red wire, there's a hard black plastic or rubber cylinder, just under 1" long, covering the factory connection. Is it simply an insulator? I need to replace my fusibile link -- the old one is bad all the way to that insulator and I need to eliminate it and connect the red wire to a new fusibile link. Just want to make sure it's OK to remove it. Pic of what I'm asking about: